Late error ends encouraging Sato run.

There was late disappointment for the Super Aguri F1 team in Canada when contact with the infamous Montreal walls prevented Takuma Sato from securing an encouraging 14th place finish.

Sato had run ahead of the Midland of Tiago Monteiro for the entire race after the Portuguese driver was involved in contact with team-mate Christijan Albers on the opening lap - despite also losing time himself when he was forced to pit after a coming together with David Coulthard.

Battling back from the unscheduled stop, Sato looked set to give Super Aguri a boost by finishing ahead of one its rivals for the first time, but when a late safety car period allowed Monteiro to close the gap, the Japanese ace had no choice but to push - going slightly off-line on the loose marbles and into the wall.

"I am very disappointed not to have finished the race today, particularly as the start went really well for me and under braking into turn one I overtook both the Midland cars," Taku said. "Unfortunately, after the first safety car came out, David squeezed past me, damaging my front wing at the second chicane and I had to come into the pits.

"I then pushed really hard for the entire race, very keen to finish in front of Monteiro, and after the last safety car went in I had to keep pushing the car to keep position. But by this time the circuit was so difficult to drive - the track was covered in marbles and dust - and as I had to continue to push so hard to stay in front of the Midland I went slightly offline and had no grip at all, so unfortunately could not finish the race."

With Frank Montagny forced out early with engine problems, it capped a tough race day for the fledgling team, although team principal Aguri Suzuki admitted that he was happy with the way his team members had again performed in the face of adversity.

"It was a very tough race and showed that any small mistake can mean the end of your race at this circuit," he said. "I feel very sorry for Franck as he has worked hard all weekend. Taku had a great race and was pushing constantly to keep ahead of Monteiro, so it is a shame that he did not cross the finish line.

"Our car performance is very low and it is very difficult to drive so although it is not a great result for the team, I am happy that the drivers and the mechanics did a great job together over the weekend."