By Phil Giles
September 12 2003

Has Ralph's time run out? Speculation on the net and in the paddock seems to think that Ralph won't be back in the EJ13 either at the USA Grand Prix or even Suzuka. The rumours suggest that Zsolt Baumgartner has found the cash to see out the season, not only as a test driver but race driver.

Anyway, the team didn't have the best of starts at the Italian Grand Prix. In fact, only Nicholas Kesia was slower.  Both Giancarlo and Zsolt were well off the early pace, despite the testing undertaken by the team at the circuit, last week.

Giancarlo in particular is even more vocal with his disappointment, perhaps realising that he's got to wait another year before getting a podium at his home race.  "It’s frustrating and I’m disappointed to be three and a half seconds off the pace at my home Grand Prix. I used the spare car today because I felt there was some problem with my race car, maybe we’ll fix it for tomorrow." he said.

Zsolt was fairly satisfied:  "I was quite happy with today and I’m pleased that I was able to do the same lap time in dirtier track conditions than this morning. I hope tomorrow I can do the same thing again or a bit quicker with a time closer to Giancarlo. That’s the goal."

"Giancarlo didn’t go as quick as he did this morning, there was a drop off in the first and last sectors. Zsolt needs to keep learning and push harder, which is to be expected, but he did a reasonable job." Said Gary Anderson.