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Last Race: 12th May Spain

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Pos Driver
1 Fernando Alonso
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Felipe Massa

Kobayashi: P2 was unexpected

Saturday 1st September 2012

Kobayashi: P2 was unexpected

Kobayashi: P2 was unexpected

Kamui Kobayashi has hailed Sauber's efforts after making history at Spa as the first Japanese driver to grab a front row grid slot in F1.

Kobayashi was impressive around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Saturday afternoon, posting a 1:47.871, which put him just 0.298s behind pole-sitter Jenson Button.

It also ensured the Japanese driver secured his best-ever qualifying position as he has never before been on the front row.

"Spa is one of our favourite tracks, but we didn't expect to be second," Kobayashi said.

"Normally we struggle in qualifying and in the race we are not really worried, but this is where we wanted to improve.

"This is our favourite circuit, but we didn't expect second.

"I think we have great opportunity for tomorrow so this is really a good restart for the rest of the season.

"We need to be really strong in qualifying and in this break, the guys did some great work. We had a chat with them and we are happy to be here and confident. It is great."

As for how he expects his Sunday to pan out, the Japanese driver reckons a top-three result would be "good."

"I always focus on Sunday, not qualifying, so this is a good point but I want to focus more on tomorrow," he said.

"If we can get on podium tomorrow then that is something good.

"We need to look at tyre management, we need to take a little bit of care, and we need to finish the race."

Related Links
Qualy: Button bags first pole since 2009
Saturday's Shots From Spa

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