By nGO
May 13 2006

After a promising friday and Saturday practice Takuma Sato could not improve on his previous lap time, while Montagny's late charge was messed by a last corner mistake. Sato qualified 20th with a 1:18.920. Montagny qualified 21st with a 1:20.763.

The results were as expected, but even though both drivers failed to improve on their practice times Super Aguri still remain happy as there is a feeling that improvements are being made. Due to Jacque's engine penalty, Both Super Aguri drivers have been promoted up 1 place and will start tomorrow's Grand Prix 19th and 20th.

Sato, who believes that the gap between Super Aguri and their competitors is closing qualified 20th after setting a lap time of 1:18.920, “We had a very smoothe morning and made good progress during the practice session. Qualifying was also encouraging. The conditions were relatively difficult as I had low grip and encountered traffic before the Red Flag stopped the session. However during the second run I had a clear track and was able to set a similar lap time to the one I set in practice, so I am happy. The gap between our times and the Midlands’ is getting smaller, so things are starting to get exciting for the team.”

Montagny feels the team improving step by step, he Qualified 21st after setting a lap time of 1:20.763, "My day was better day than yesterday for sure. We were able to improve the car’s handling into the quick corners, so now we have a stable car and I am happy about that. We found quite a good set upon used tyres and the car was quite easy to drive with no problems with degradation, but with new tyres we are struggling a bit around the slow corners. The track has changed so much and we stillneed more data for the car, so it makes things a little difficult. We are getting closer and improving a little all the time and I know that in time the pace will come.”

Aguri is hoping for a finish on race day, "Taku did a good job with the hard tyre option and I am pleased that he made the 1:18’s. Although Franck went off the track at the end of his quick lap he also did a good job. The times are not so fast but they are showing the best possible performance of the car at this point. We have not been able to finish a race since we started the Europe leg of the season, so I hope that we will be able to have a two-car finish tomorrow."