Formula One news

Kubica predicting tough Grand Prix

Robert Kubica was pleased to see both BMW cars achieve top ten positions in qualifying on Saturday but knows that Sunday's race will not be an easy one as the final quartet of Formula One 'flyaways' begin.

With Nick Heidfeld seventh and Kubica eighth, BMW enjoyed a stronger qualifying session in Singapore than it did when experiencing two identical engine failures at Monza a fortnight ago. However, Robert believes that '8' could have been replaced by a lower number on the final timesheets had his Bridgestone Potenza tyres reacted differently.

"Of course, our qualifying performance was influenced by the red flag caused by Rubens Barrichello's accident," Kubica said. "I think most of the drivers are in a similar situation. We used the harder tyre compound (Soft) in our first run of the top ten qualifying; this cost us a lot of lap time - the Prime (harder) tyres were about two tenths slower just in the first two corners compared to the softer compound (Option, Super Soft).

"It will be a very difficult race tomorrow. The track is very challenging - it requires lots of traction and braking stability. Also, physically the circuit is very demanding as there are a lot of corners and you are permanently fighting with the car. Tomorrow a lot will depend on tyre degradation and possible overheating."

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