• Brazilian Grand Prix

Kobayashi praises Sauber recovery

Kamui Kobayashi managed to get ahead of both Toro Rosso's early in the race © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Webber leads Red Bull one-two in Brazil
  

• Race:
• Brazilian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Kamui Kobayashi

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Kamui Kobayashi praised the job done by his Sauber team to recover from a disappointing qualifying to finish ninth in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Kobayashi started the race in 16th place after lacking pace in the second part of qualifying, but had a strong opening stint to climb up to 12th. While the collision between Michael Schumacher and Bruno Senna, coupled with Lewis Hamilton's retirement promoted him in to the points it was strong race pace that meant he was also able to get ahead of Vitaly Petrov's Renault. The two points cemented Sauber's position of seventh in the constructors' championship, and Kobayashi paid thanks to his team.

"The team did a very good job to recover from a really bad qualifying," Kobayashi said. "I had a good start and also a good race pace. We worked a lot on the race pace and I'm happy that I was able to score in the final two races of the season. It was important for us to finish ahead of Toro Rosso and I'm glad we managed to do that. The strategy was good and the car was as well - many thanks to the guys."

However, Kobayashi warned that Sauber needed to improve over the winter to make sure that next season it could maintain its performance throughout the year.

"After we have struggled a bit in the second half of the season, we have a lot to work on over the winter. I think it is good that we will have the same team with the same drivers again, but we want to become stronger."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.