Zoom BMW Sauber out of luck with the safety car

Robert Kubica ran fourth during the opening stages of Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, but it would all go wrong for the BMW Sauber driver when Nelson Piquet crashed his Renault on lap 13 bringing out the full course yellow and the safety car.

With the pit lane closed, Kubica – along with Nico Rosberg in the Williams – was forced to pit for fuel and subsequently took a stop-go penalty dropping to the rear of the field.

"This ruined Robert's chances at a crucial point in the World Championship," said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "I don't know whether we have lost second place - Robert was actually ahead of the eventual winner Alonso. I am very disappointed that the safety-car rule has affected us again."

Kubica went on to take the chequered flag in 11th position and out of the points. He remains third in the championship standings with 64 points, 20 behind title leader Lewis Hamilton with three rounds remaining.

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