Sauber could not take advantage of their qualifying position as both its drivers retired early on in the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Pedro de la Rosa did not even start the race after suffering an engine failure on his way to the grid. Meanwhile team-mate Kamui Kobayashi retired on lap nine with a loss of power.
Kamui Kobayashi – DNF: “The retirement came as a total surprise to me. After turn one I suddenly had no more power. This is really bad luck. Today I was in a good position to fight for points, although I lost two positions at the start when Rubens Barrichello didn’t move in front of me when the starting lights went out. It is a real shame I retired from today’s race, but now we have to concentrate on the next one in China and do better.”
Pedro de la Rosa – DNF: “Of course it is very disappointing not having competed in this race. This Grand Prix is one you prepare for all year because of the physical demands and you really want it to be driving in it. The failure was unusual, unexpected and unlucky.”
Willy Rampf, Technical Director: “A very disappointing race after promising starting positions. Pedro was forced to stop on his lap to the grid, and Kamui, who started from ninth, had to give up on lap nine. In both cases the engines failed due to problems with the pneumatic system. We have to analyse everything in order to understand the reason behind it.”

