Fisichella Tops Timesheets at Monza Today

By Jamie Makin
June 3 2004

Today was another case of good luck following bad luck for the Sauber team at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy today. Tuesday's test was hampered by rain, while yesterday saw a driveshaft failure bring the test to a griding halt after just 17 laps.

Fisichella turned the team's luck around by putting in a solid day of 97 laps, and posting the fastest time of the day at 1:20.701. Not only is this time quicker than Michael Schumacher's pole time of 1:20.963 last year, but it is also the second fastest test time posted at the circuit so far this season. Only the BAR-Honda of Anthony Davidson has gone faster with a time of 1:20.611.

Today's test made up some lost ground from the prior two days with the latest batch of new components being tested. "Today we followed our programme and tested some new aerodynamic parts as well as brakes. We have also done some Bridgestone tyre work," explained Race Engineer, Giampaolo Dall´Ara.

The day was not without its troubles for the Sauber team. Late in today's session, they dodged a bullet in surviving a second high speed failure in as many days. "Unfortunately in the late afternoon Giancarlo´s rear left tyre burst when he entered the start/finish lane," said Dall'Ara. "For safety reasons we decided to stop the test for today and will check the car thoroughly. However, we will be able to continue as scheduled tomorrow."

Giancarlo Fisichella will be at the controls for the final day of testing tomorrow before the team heads to North America for back-to-back races in Canada and the United States.

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