BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld was fuming on Saturday after being impeded in qualifying by Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais.

Heidfeld was forced wide at the end of his final lap in the first of the three qualifying sessions as he tried to get around the Frenchman who was later demoted from 14th to 19th place on Sunday's starting grid.

The 31-year-old German, fifth in the drivers' championship, therefore climbed one spot to 15th.

"Sebastien was right in my way and I was hoping it was so obvious he would be penalised right away," Heidfeld told reporters. "Being moved up one position from 16th to 15th means nothing.

"What happened is part of the sport and the timing also wasn't perfect as I was on my quick lap ... but they (the drivers) should be better informed by their teams and watch their mirrors better."

Heidfeld's misfortune is likely to prove particularly costly on the Hungaroring track where the slow, twisting layout makes overtaking especially difficult.

The BMW driver said he had not yet given up on his title hopes.

"You never give up as long as there's a theoretical chance no matter how unlikely," he said. "My motivation and the way I push will be huge on Sunday even if I know I probably can't achieve much."

The four drivers ahead of Heidfeld in the title chase all qualified among the top six places on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton taking pole in front of McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, second and third in the overall standings, start third and sixth respectively.

Heidfeld's BMW colleague Robert Kubica is fourth in the standings and fourth on the grid.