A delighted Pedro de la Rosa demonstrated that Sauber - at its 300th Grand Prix this weekend - can once again qualify in the top ten at the Hungaroring although team-mate Kamui Kobayashi was far less pleased on Saturday, having been eliminated at the earliest possible point.
The Japanese driver’s fate was sealed as he found himself slowed behind a Hispania car on the run to Turn 12. However, Kamui then drove past the FIA scrutineering garage in the pit lane, having failed to see neither an orange light nor waving officials.
“I am very disappointed,” he said. “We have done a lot of setup changes since we arrived here but, still, I am not happy. To me the car feels strange, different from what I’m used to, and I don’t have any grip.
“So the situation was quite difficult for me anyway and then the team was over-optimistic, sending me out on the harder tyres for my second run in Q1. I believe on the softer compound I would have managed to get at least to Q2. However, mistakes happen. I obviously went past a red light in the pit lane and missed going to the FIA scales. I just didn’t see it.”
De la Rosa’s feelings are in stark contrast to those on the opposite side of the Swiss outfit’s garage.
“I am happy with my performance but, more importantly, I am very proud of the team,” the Spaniard smiled. “The car was really good. My position proves how much progress the guys from Hinwil have made with the car, especially to make it quicker in slow corners.
“They just kept their heads down and worked hard, and they have turned it around. Tomorrow I will try and stay out of trouble at the start and during the first lap and then I will certainly fight for points.”
Further post-qualifying development:
Kobayashi hit by 5-place grid penalty
Series
Formula 1
Personalities
Kamui Kobayashi
Pedro de la Rosa
Teams
Sauber
Other
Get your official Formula 1 tickets at Sportstadium.com
| Pedro de la Rosa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| More Pedro de la Rosa photos | |||
| Kamui Kobayashi | |||
 |  |  |  |
| More Kamui Kobayashi photos | |||
English
Nederlands
Español
Italiano
