Japanese driver apologises after qualifying prang
Last Updated: September 24, 2011 7:35pm
Kobayashi: qualifying crash
Kamui Kobayashi has vowed to repay Sauber after a mistake during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix wrecked his car ahead of Sunday's race.
The Japanese driver brought the second session at the Marina Bay Street Circuit to a halt when he ploughed into a barrier at turn 10 after hitting a raised kerb through the chicane.
The impact lifted his car into the air before it came crashing down and careered straight on.
Kobayashi will now start 17th, leaving him with an uphill task to get into the points on a track where it is difficult to overtake.
Offering his apologies, Kobayashi said: "I feel very sorry for the team.
"I took too much kerb, the car jumped too high and we saw the outcome. I saw a chance to fight for Q3, but it didn't work out.
"I was taken to the medical centre and was quite surprised at how carefully they checked me. However, physically I'm absolutely fine.
"I will now do my utmost tomorrow to fight for points and give something back to the team."
Team principal Peter Sauber was unimpressed as he said: "Kamui's performance was good enough to make it into the top 10.
"But he failed to take his chance when he was riding the kerbs too much and the car left the ground."
Sauber's mechanics now face the prospect of burning the midnight oil to ready the car for the race.
Giampaolo Dall'Ara, head of track engineering, said: "Luckily he didn't hit concrete, but the angle he went in at was not nice.
"However, now we need to look at the car and hope the chassis is not broken."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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