By Jamie Makin
April 3 2005

Team SAUBER PETRONAS driver Felipe Massa finished seventh to score two points in today's Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir, the team's 200th Formula One race. Unfortunately, just as he was poised to score the final point Jacques Villeneuve was the innocent victim of a collision and was forced to retire three laps from home. Jacques Villeneuve was closing in on the ailing Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello and looked set to pass for eighth place when Red Bull's David Coulthard slammed into him.

"It's a real shame," fumed Villeneuve. "The start went well, Turn One went well, and the car went well. I got pushed wide and had to give back a place on the first lap, but after that it was a matter of keeping the pace and being consistent. I could certainly have got a point today. It was only another lap and I would have passed Rubens, but then I got hit by David. I don't know why and I'll have to ask him..."

Coulthard's car seemed unaffected by the collision and he went on to claim the final points-paying position, while Villeneuve was forced to park the C24 in the garage.

"After that incident I could feel something wrong at the back of the car so I came into the pits so the team could check it out," Villeneuve explained. "They subsequently discovered that there was damage to the rear suspension where David had hit me. It's disappointing to get so close to a point and then lose it, but I'm feeling a lot more confident in the car after this race."

Felipe Massa's seventh place still gave the team reason to celebrate at the end of their 200th Grand Prix. "That was exactly what I hoped for in my heart before the start of the race!" exclaimed the Brazilian.

"The C24 was strong and consistent all the way through and I am sure that my hard tyre choice was the right one. I think it was a good move I did on Rubens, but he was in trouble with his tyres so to be fair it was not real overtaking. I am proud to have scored our first points of the season in our 200th race, and now I'm looking forward to continuing our intensive preparations next week before the championship moves to Europe for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola."

Peter Sauber had mixed emotions at the end of the day. "This was a very tough race, and both drivers did a very good job. Jacques was unlucky to lose the final point when Coulthard ran into him in the closing stages, but Felipe's two points for seventh place were a great present, a thank you to the team as everyone here in Bahrain and back home in Hinwil celebrates our 200th race," said the team boss. "It is a satisfying way to finish the opening stint of the season, and sets us up for our forthcoming test session in Barcelona later this week which will help us to prepare for the European races."

In additions to evaluating new parts, SAUBER's upcoming testing program will focus on helping Jacques Villeneuve become more comfortable with the setup and handling of the C24. The move seems to indicate that Peter Sauber is determined to keep Villeneuve on board as a driver. Meanwhile, rumours intensify that Nicolas Kiesa is the current top pick to pilot a third SAUBER during Friday practice. Earlier favourite, Timo Glock, is now out of contention as he has singed to drive for a Champ Car team in America this year.

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