Sauber struggled for pace in a decidedly underwhelming final qualifying session of the 2012 F1 season.
Sergio Perez and
Kamui Kobayashi qualified thirteenth and fifteenth respectively as they edge towards the conclusion of their Sauber careers.
Perez lacked raw speed once conditions dried out as Q2 went on, and felt that he had got the maximum out of a car seemingly not that well suited to the demands of the Interlagos circuit.
“My fastest lap was really okay and, therefore, I think our position pretty much reflects what is possible with the car," he said. "When the track was damp at the beginning of qualifying we were quite competitive. Later when it was completely dry we lost positions. Nevertheless I still hope to get a good result tomorrow in what will be my final race for Sauber.”
Perez is moving on after Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, heading to Mclaren to join Jenson Button.
Team-mate
Kamui Kobayashi is also leaving the team, however his future is much less secure, having been beaten to the final seat by Estban Gutierrez. He had been struggling for pace throughout practice and fourteenth on the grid didn't come as a surprise.
“My fastest lap wasn't a perfect one because the warm up of the tyres wasn't perfect," he said. "I lost a bit of the tyres' potential there. I think in damp conditions we would have had a chance to make Q3, but not on a dry track. I actually hope we will get some rain for tomorrow's race and so make the right calls then.”