His Sauber debut at the Australian Grand Prix saw him start on the grid in fourth position, although he would finish the race nine places down the order in thirteenth and a lap down. For the opening three races he was the slowest driver on Michelin tyres, and rumors began to spread that he would soon be replaced. The rumors proved unfounded, and at Imola he scored his first points for the team with a fourth place. The pressure was soon back on him when he forced teammate Felipe Massa off the track when attempting to overtake the Brazilian in Monaco, ruining both their races.