Double Disappointment in Qualifying for Sauber

By Jamie Makin
May 30 2004

Team SAUBER PETRONAS drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa will start tomorrow´s European Grand Prix from 16th and 19th places respectively after this afternoon´s qualifying sessions.

Saturday, Qualifying 1:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	1:29.327	12
F. Massa	C23-06	1:31.879	16
Spare Car	C23-01	-	-

Saturday, Qualifying 2:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	No Time	19
F. Massa	C23-06	1:31.982	16
Spare Car	C23-01	-	-

Sauber's upward trend has peaked for the moment and the team have found themselves struggling at the Nurburgring this weekend. Yesterday's practice sessions saw an engine failure for Giancarlo Fisichella and an electronics problem for Felipe Massa, both of which limited running time.

Fisichella's situation was by far the worst, as changing his engine will demote him ten grid positions. As such, the team opted to not even send him out during final qualifying and he was relegated to start from last place. A late decision from the stewards to punish Minardi's Gianmaria Bruni for exiting the pit during the red light will move Fisichella up to 19th as Bruni now must start in 20th.

Fisichella backed the team's decision and keeps his hopes high for the race. "It was a tactical decision to conserve the tyres and not take part in the qualifying session, given that I have to move back 10 places on the grid because of my problem on Friday morning. The car is still improving from race to race, and though it won´t be an easy race at least you can overtake here and I know we can be competitive."

Fisichella has some reason to hope for a good result tomorrow. Last year Nick Heidfeld started from the back of the grid and worked his way up into 8th place, netting the team a point in Heidfeld's home race. Fisichella will no doubt be looking to perform a similar feat tomorrow.

Teammate Felipe Massa continues to struggle with single lap qualifying, beating out only the two Minardis this time out. He admitted to a few mistakes which cost him time, which is unfortunately becoming commonplace to hear from him. "I made a mistake in Turn 7 which cost me at least a couple of positions," Massa admitted. "This morning it was difficult to find a good set-up but we improved the car for qualifying so I know that I will have a good car for the race."

Technical Director, Willy Rampf expressed disappointment in today's outcome, but the team will carry on. "It made good sense to us to conserve Giancarlo´s car by not participating in the official qualifying session, as this will keep his tyres in premium condition for the race. Felipe´s result was not what we expected, and both starting positions are disappointing."

Saturday, Free Practice 3:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	1:31.816	12
F. Massa	C23-06	1:32.206	13
Spare Car	C23-01	-	-

Saturday, Free Practice 4:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	1:30.519	11
F. Massa	C23-06	1:31.504	15
Spare Car	C23-01	-	-

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