05/03/2005
NEWS STORY
Jarno Trulli: "I could not have asked for a better start to the new season with my new team than to be second quickest in what was a very hectic qualifying. We were lucky with the track conditions, but even though I had a benefit, it was still a quick lap compared to the runners who were out in similar conditions. We have been working on different testing in the practice sessions and the car has been strong. The performance is certainly there. With the new aggregate qualifying rule, we have a big advantage today, so I hope to translate that into points in tomorrow's race. But first we have second qualifying in the morning and as we have seen today, anything can happen."
Ralf Schumacher: "It was a bit difficult today with the session turning into a real lottery for everyone. Some drivers got luckier than others and unfortunately I was one of the guys with the bad luck. The track was extremely wet and there was a lot of aquaplaning. With the new qualifying format and the huge difference in lap times, it could be that Giancarlo and Jarno will make up the front row of the grid tomorrow. Although it was a day to forget for me, it is obviously good for the team that Jarno has such a strong position ahead of the decisive qualifying in the morning."
Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis: "A very eventful qualifying session that turned out to have mixed fortunes for us. Jarno got nearly the best of the track conditions, but I still think his lap was exceptional to be P2 with a significant time advantage over the drivers who went out for their runs at around the same time. That time gain will prove to be hugely beneficial for final qualifying in the morning. Unfortunately, the rain towards the end of the session left Ralf with some of the worst conditions and that made his job very difficult. We have to see what conditions we will have tomorrow but for Jarno it looks highly promising indeed and we need to look to get the car on the front row tomorrow."