Both cars fail to finish in San Marino

By nGO
April 23 2006

Both drivers fail to finish after a disappointing Grand Prix. Ide developed suspension problems after shunting Albers bringing an end to his race on lap 33, while Sato stopped out on track on lap 45.

The start was exciting as Sato rocketed off the start line out dragging both Midlands and as they enter the chicane he was ahead of Albers. However things started going wrong as Ide damaged his suspension after a failed overtaking attempted in the first chicane, flipping Albers out of the Grand Prix. His car was patched up and Ide was sent back out, but his suspension gave up and he retired on lap 33. Sato was driving a good race found himself infront of Monteiro's Midland for a brief while before being overtaken, and on lap 45 he retired ending his finishing streak. Today was grim for Super Aguri but the team will try their hardest to bounce back next time.

Takuma Sato drove what was a respectable race before retiring on lap 45 (reliability issues?/ accident?), "It is disappointing not to finish the race as we have had no reliability issues all weekend. I had a reasonable start to the race and I was able to make up a position, but the car was lacking in pace so I could not improveany further. The boys have done a really great job all weekend and we have made good progress so we shall just keep working hard to improve our performance.”

Ide vows to improve for next time, "I didn't think I was pushing too hard at the start, but when I was exiting the second chicane Albers was the one on the racing line and I could not avoid contacting his car. After the contact the car was not stable in the corners and my front-left suspension was damaged. I later had a rear suspension problem and had to retire from the race. My lap times were a little faster this weekend, so I want to keep my rhythm and do better in the next race."