Team boss Peter Sauber has admitted to being totally mystified by Jacques Villeneuve's lack of pace in the opening round of the 2005 Formula One World Championship.

Under fairly heavy pressure in an interview with Credit Suisse's Emagazine, Sauber, when asked about the Canadian's performance, replied; "I'd rather not comment on that"

"He did well in qualifying," he continued. "He was out there under difficult conditions since he was the first driver onto the track with dry tires. Then he had problems with the cold tires, but still managed to finish a superb fourth. In the race, he got a really good start, but dropped back five spots in the first lap, a bitter disappointment.

Asked for Villeneuve's explanation, Sauber said; "We still have to analyze that. Villeneuve isn't saying much right now. In certain phases of the race he had some problems with the car, but that's all he's told us so far.

Not one to be put off, the interviewer asks why Villeneuve's best race lap was almost a second slower than his teammate (Felipe Massa).

"I really can't explain the difference, which is a big one at that," replies Sauber.

"It's actually bigger than it seems," he revealed. "For the start, and after the first pit stop, Felipe Massa was driving with a heavy fuel load, in contrast to all the other drivers, who made two pit stops, Massa was driving with a one-stop strategy."