Kobayashi ecstatic after grabbing front row start

Spa-francorchamps, Belgium, Sept 1, 2012 (AFP) - Japanese Kamui Kobayashi said he was stunned on Saturday after unexpectedly qualifying second to grab a spot on the front row of the grid for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

The Sauber driver secured the best starting position of his Formula One career at Spa Francorchamps where his time in the top ten shootout lifted him alongside pole-sitting Briton Jenson Button of McLaren.

Kobayashi said he was ecstatic with the result, but admitted it was unexpected.

He said: "Spa is one of our favourite tracks, but we didn't expect to be second.

"Normally, we struggle in qualifying and in the race we are not really worried, but this is where we wanted to improve. This is our favourite circuit, but we didn't expect second.

"I think we have great opportunity for tomorrow so this is really a good restart for the rest of the season. We need to be really strong in qualifying and in this session the guys did some great work.

"We had a chat with them and we are happy to be here and confident. It is great."

Kobayashi said he is now focused on the race and making the most of his good starting position.

"I always focus on Sunday, not qualifying, so this is a good point, but I want to focus even more on tomorrow now," he added.

"If we can get on the podium tomorrow then that is something good.

"We need to look at tyre management, we need to take a little bit of care, and we need to finish the race. I hope we can do all of those things."