11/09/2004
NEWS STORY
Sauber drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa will start tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix from 15th and 16th positions respectively after this afternoon's qualifying sessions.
Giancarlo Fisichella: "My lap was not so good. Obviously we had a fair amount of fuel, but while the first sector was very good I was too conservative in the second and then braked too late for Parabolica and got into a lot of understeer. That cost me at least three-tenths. We are, however, optimistic for the race because we know how consistent the car is on long runs."
Felipe Massa: "There was a big difference in the balance of my car between its pre-qualifying configuration and the qualifying set-up, and this caught me out a little under braking for the first part of the first chicane. I locked the rear wheels a little and ran in wide, so after that the lap was ruined. It's a pity because the rest of it was very good. I probably lost two, maybe three, positions. Now I just have to exploit the car's strong race form as much as I can."
Peter Sauber (Team Principal): "Qualifying was unsatisfactory. I hope the race will be better."