Bahrain GP Friday Practice Results


Getting Acquainted

By Sauber-Petronas (2/4/2004)
April 3 2004

SAUBER PETRONAS drivers Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella finished 15th and 17th respectively after todayīs first practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

G. Fisichella 17th 1:33.031 (+1.581) 23 laps
F. Massa 15th 1:33.061 (+1.611) 23 laps
Giancarlo Fisichella (Driver):

This morning was fine, but this afternoon wasnīt so good. I had too much oversteer, so we have more work to do on set-up this evening. It is also still quite difficult for us to do a good lap first time out on new tyres.

I havenīt been feeling too well since I got to Bahrain. Iīve had a high temperature and fever, but it doesnīt actually affect me when Iīm driving and Iīm sure Iīll be okay for the race.

Felipe Massa (Driver):

I did a long run this afternoon but there was so much traffic that I couldnīt use all my laps. But at least we have an idea of the direction to take for tomorrow. The balance of the car needs improvement as I had a lot of oversteer on turn-in, but otherwise it wasnīt too bad.

My last lap should have been two or three tenths faster but I made a mistake in Turn 13 and spun. The grip level is okay here on the line, but once you get even slightly off it, itīs like ice.

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

We had time today in the two sessions to gather a lot of data in order to improve the set-up for tomorrow and we were able to make our tyre choice. We think that we have a good basis for the race.

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