In a race
marked by an exceptional
level of reliability on the
part of virtually all
competitors, Minardi F1 Team
drivers Christijan Albers
and Patrick Friesacher
experienced an incident-free
afternoon as they took the
chequered flag in today’s
British Grand Prix in 18th
and 19th places
respectively.
Both drivers stopped twice
for fuel in a race that ran
almost totally to plan, the
only slight concern being a
higher than normal gearbox
temperature in Friesacher’s
car. Minardi engineers kept
a close eye on the telemetry
as the race progressed, and
fortunately, the
transmission didn’t suffer
any ill effects, allowing
the Faenza squad to record a
satisfying two-car finish in
one of the most demanding
Grands Prix of the year.
CHRISTIJAN ALBERS (Best lap:
1 min 26.182 secs;
Position: 18th)
“There
was a bit of a problem with
the start when it was
unclear whether it had been
aborted or not. That’s why I
was slow getting away and
lost the positions I had won
in qualifying. I was able to
overtake Patrick on the
first lap to regain a
position, but as I was
trying to catch Monteiro,
the Safety Car came out, and
after it went in, I just
couldn’t catch him. I’m
quite happy with the result,
as my lap times were pretty
consistent on a circuit that
doesn’t particularly suit
our car at the moment.”
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Both Minardi drivers stopped
twice for fuel in a Grand Prix that ran almost
totally to plan, the only slight concern being a
higher than normal gearbox temperature in
Friesacher’s car |
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In a race marked by an
exceptional level of reliability on the part of
virtually all competitors, Minardi F1 Team drivers
Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher experienced
an incident-free afternoon as they took the
chequered flag in today’s British Grand Prix in 18th
and 19th place respectively |
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PATRICK FRIESACHER (Best lap: 1 min 26.489 secs; Position:
19th)
“It was good to finish the race, but
it was quite difficult from about one-third distance, when
the traffic on some laps meant you lost up to six seconds
compared with your normal lap time. Some drivers were
two-stopping and some three, and as a result, there seemed
to be traffic around me for much of the time, which disturbs
your rhythm. Also, as a result of going off-line when other
cars are passing you, your tyres often pick up debris when
you run on a dirty part of the track. All of those things
combined to make it a tough race today.”
PAUL STODDART, Team Principal,
Minardi Cosworth
“I don’t remember the last time 19
cars completed a Grand Prix, and while a two-car finish is
always pleasing, it’s clear more development is required on
the car.”
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