Japan: More Midfield Blues for SAUBER

By SAUBER PETRONAS
October 13 2005

Team SAUBER PETRONAS drivers Felipe Massa and Jacques Villeneuve finished 10th and 11th respectively in today’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

Jacques Villeneuve:

"We changed my strategy after the safety car came out, but once the others who had already pitted came by ahead of me as I rejoined after refuelling I knew that was it. The car was good, and I think mine was faster than Felipe’s. I was catching him at the end but big deal, we fought for 10th place. Not a glorious day!

"As for Montoya on the first lap, I never even saw him so I have no idea what he might have been trying to do when he went off."

Felipe Massa:

"I had a problem with the anti-stall activating itself at the start, which didn’t help as I lost places. I got past Jacques with my two-stop strategy, which was good, and the car was okay. The balance was fine, but we just weren’t quick enough today."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

"Both drivers had strong and consistent races. Although we split the strategies after the safety car came out, Felipe and Jacques were less than a second apart at the finish which suggests that our result was the best we could have hoped for today."

UPDATE: Jacques Villeneuve has received a 25 second penalty after the stewards investigated the first lap incident between him and Montoya, dropping him to 12th place.