An Unsatisfactory Qualifying Performance

By Jamie Makin
September 11 2004

Team SAUBER PETRONAS 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.

Saturday, Qualifying 1:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:20.357	6
F. Massa	C23-01	1:20.571	11
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

Saturday, Qualifying 2:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:22.239	15
F. Massa	C23-01	1:22.287	16
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

Giancarlo Fisichella (Driver):

"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 (Driver):

"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."

Saturday, Free Practice 3:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:22.369	11
F. Massa	C23-01	1:22.284	13
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

Saturday, Free Practice 4:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:21.929	10
F. Massa	C23-01	1:21.859	11
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

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