Resta to start 14th, Nico 16th in Malaysian GP

Sepang: None of the two Sahara Force India drivers could make the top-10 as Paul di Resta qualified 14th on the grid and Nico Hulkenberg 16th for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, in Sepang on Saturday.

Resta's best lap time of 1:37.877 and Hulkenberg's 1:37.890, under hot weather conditions, could not get them into Q3, and scoring points on the race day could be difficult for the side.

McLaren had a one-two finish on the grid, led by former champion Lewis Hamilton, who got pole position by clocking the fastest lap in 1:36.219, followed by teammate Jenson Button (1:36.368).

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was third (1:36.391) and Red Bull's Mark Webber followed him with clock time of 1:36.461. Kimi Raikkonen (1:36.461) who was fifth for Lotus was penalised five grid places after making an unscheduled gearbox change following the opening practice sessions.

Force India drivers put up a brave face despite the fact that things have become difficult for them.

"We definitely improved the car between final practice and qualifying. My laps in Q2 were good and I got sectors one and two right, but maybe have lost out in the final sector," Resta said

"P14 is a reasonable place to start and hopefully our race pace and tyre management will pay off on Sunday. The other variable is the weather because there is always a high risk of showers late in the afternoon," the Scot added.

Rookie Hulkenberg said he got what was best possible out of the car and that it will be a challenging day for him on Sunday.

"To be honest, though, I don't think there was any more to come because I pretty much got the maximum from the car. Now it's all about racing well and using the strategy to try and come away with a result."

"Having already missed most of the race last weekend in Melbourne, it almost feels like the first race of my season, so hopefully, I can go the distance and have a strong performance. Tyre degradation will be a key factor in the race and the chance of rain could also mix things."

Meanwhile, Indian Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan has made the cut for the Malaysian Grand Prix after lapping his HRT within 107 percent of the fastest time set in the qualifying here on Saturday.

Karthikeyan recorded the slowest time but will start Sunday's race from the 23rd position. Hispania failed to qualify for the season opener in Melbourne last weekend.