Sahara Force India had a disappointing outing as Adrian Sutil managed 14th while team mate Paul di Resta was two places below at 16th in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, on Sunday.
Both the Force India drivers were eliminated in the second session of qualifying and missed the cut that sets the top 10 battle for pole.
It also dashed Force India's hopes of snatching back fifth place in the constructors table from McLaren, who had both their drives finishing in the top-10. Sergio Perez will start eighth, while former champion Jenson Button a place behind in ninth.
McLaren (65) had snatched fifth place from Force India (61) in the last race in Belgium by taking a four-point lead after Button had finished sixth.
Sutil is also facing investigation from the stewards after an incident involving Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, after he appeared to hold up the Briton.
Hamilton failed in his bid for a fifth successive Formula One pole position as he managed only 12th fastest.
Defending champion Sebastian Vettel continued his good recent form as he finished on pole, his fourth of the season. Mark Webber took second place in an all-front row for Red Bull.
Nico Hulkenberg was a surprise third in his Sauber while Felipe Massa out-qualified his Ferrai team mate Fernando Alonso. They are fourth and fifth respectively.
Nico Rosberg was sixth in his Mercedes and following him is Daniel Ricciardo in his Toro Rosso.
Jean-Eric Vergne claimed the 10th spot in second Toro Rosso.
Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen, another title contender, also missed out after ending the session in 11th place.
Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images
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