BMW investigates Kubica’s problem
The Pole aborted his first flying lap of the decisive Q3 session when he felt something amiss with his car at Stowe corner, and played no further part in the session.
As a result he will start Sunday’s race from 10th on the grid, having qualified no lower than fifth over the first eight grands prix.
“It was a difficult qualifying in the end," said Kubica. “Finally we were on the right pace. “Qualifying one was good and qualifying two was even better, as the first time on option tyres was very good.I backed off in the last sector to just bring the car home, and it was still enough to be two- or three-tenths off the McLaren time. “In qualifying three I went through the first sector without any problems, but then I felt the same problem at the rear I felt on Friday.
“Now we have to analyse everything and see what is going on."
BMW’s motorsport director Mario Theissen said the team had kept Kubica in the garage because they were unable to diagnose the problem immediately.
“Up to the top-10 qualifying session everything went according to plan, but then Robert aborted his lap in Q3 because he realised he had a technical problem with the car," said Theissen.
“Unfortunately time was too short to analyse the problem during the session and get him back out on the track. “It is a shame because both drivers were strong, which is proved by Nick [Heidfeld’s] fifth place." Heidfeld reported that he had felt a similar problem with his F1.08 but decided to press on with his lap.
“The car felt a bit strange but nevertheless I pushed to the end," he told ITV Sport’s Louise Goodman.
“It’s difficult to know what it is. It felt a bit like a flat-spot or the steering was not perfectly straight. But I thought I’d push anyway and it worked out."