SAUBER Won't Run Third Car in Melbourne


By Jamie Makin
March 2 2005

Last year team SAUBER PETRONAS opted not to take advantage of a new rule allowing teams below fourth place in the Constructors Championship to run a third car during Friday practice. They believed the results gained with an inexperienced driver would not justify the high costs of running the car. They were the only team out of the six eligible to make this decision.

This year SAUBER's decision remains the same. They no longer employ a test driver of any kind and their budget has tightened with the loss of Red Bull's sponsorship. The spare car will sit in the garage in Melbourne Friday while Jacques Villeneuve and Felipe Massa have to put mileage on their race cars and engines which must last two weekends. SAUBER is not expected to change their minds about the third car for upcoming races either.

The only consolation is they will not be the only team to opt out of the third car option. Minardi's third car will sit in the garage as well Friday. Australian owner Paul Stoddart cites budget restrictions as the deciding factor.

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