Indian GP: Race notes - Sauber

28/10/2012

The Indian Grand Prix was a real disappointment for the Sauber F1 Team. Sergio Perez, who qualified eighth, retired after 20 laps. Kamui Kobayashi, who had started 17th, finished 14th on the Buddh International Circuit. A lack of straight-line speed didn't allow for proper overtaking.

Kamui Kobayashi: "I have to say it wasn't our weekend here. In the race I was never alone, I always had someone in front of me but not enough straight line pace to overtake. This was frustrating. I was stuck behind Daniel Ricciardo and there was nothing I could do. The issue with Pastor Maldonado was a bit strange. He had overtaken me but then he suddenly came on my racing line again. I could not avoid having contact. I think we should make sure we have a smooth weekend in Abu Dhabi and forget about this one here."

Sergio Perez: "Today was a total disappointment. First of all I had to pit after 14 laps because the front left tyre was blistering badly. We don't know yet why this happened. I wanted to recover the lost positions but touched Daniel Ricciardo's front wing when I overtook him. The rear right tyre came off the rim and damaged something at the rear of the car. So my race was over after 20 laps."

Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal: "A disappointing race. Kamui fought hard but his grid position was too much of a handicap. Sergio made a good start but then had unexpected problems with his front left tyre. After an early pit stop he had a puncture and was forced to stop because the car felt strange. Our goal to fight for fifth position in the constructors' championship will now be more difficult to achieve."

Giampaolo Dall'Ara, Head of Track Engineering: "Sergio's speed was as expected, but then he had to stop early because the front left tyre had blisters and we had to change to a two stop strategy. He went out on another set of soft tyres, but then had contact with Daniel Ricciardo's car and had a puncture. After his second pit stop he reported problems with the rear of the car and we decided to retire him. Kamui had to start too far behind and, although he had better pace than Daniel, he was not able to overtake him and lost too much time in the first part of the race. Kamui was not able to recover from that."

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