Spa-Francorchamps: Sahara Force India`s Paul di Resta on Saturday qualified 10th on the grid while his teammate Nico Hulkenberg will start Sunday`s Belgian Grand Prix in the 12th position as action returns to Formula One after the summer break, here.
However, the Indian team which is desperate to improve its position in the Constructors` championship will have to deliver an outstanding race since their close rivals Sauber and Williams have their cars ahead on the grid.
Sauber`s Kamui Kobayashi today delivered season`s best result by qualifying second behind McLaren`s Jenson Button, who secured his first pole position of the 2012 season.
Williams` Pastor Maldonado was third quickest.
Hence, the Indian team has a task cut as it trails Williams by seven points and Sauber by 34 points.
Button`s fastest lap came in 1:47.573 mins as he edged out Japanese Kobayashi (1:47.871) by two tenths of a second.
Maldonado clocked third fastest lap when he timed 1:47.893, followed by Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus and Sergio Perez in the second Sauber.
Ferrari`s Fernando Alonso was sixth followed by Red Bull`s Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton in second McLaren, Lotus` Romain Grosjean and Paul di Resta.
Webber will drop places on the grid after a five-place penalty due to unscheduled gear-box change.
Force India`s second driver Nico Hulkenberg`s effort of 1:48.855 stuck him in Q2 and it was good enough for 12th place, just behind double defending champion Sebestian Vettel in his Red Bull.
When Webber is dropped, his teammate Vettel will move into top-10 and will also push Di Resta to ninth. Narain Karthikeyan will start 24th and last on the grid.
PTI
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