The final
qualifying session of the 2005
FIA Formula One season saw
Minardi F1 Team driver,
Christijan Albers, secure 18th
position on the grid for
tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix,
and team mate, Robert Doornbos,
the 20th spot.
Robert Doorbos encountered a
transmission problem at the
beginning of Saturday’s first
morning practice session, but
some inspired work by the
Minardi Team mechanics saw the
gearbox replaced in just over
thirty minutes, allowing
Doornbos to get himself back
onto the track before the
session had ended. Despite the
grid positions, however, the
Faenza squad has high hopes for
tomorrow’s race, particularly as
engine partner, Cosworth, has
developed a new, more aggressive
engine mode specifically for
this event.
CHRISTIJAN ALBERS (Best lap: 1
min 39.105 secs; Position: 18th)
“It wasn’t
a good qualifying session for
us, and the track had changed a
lot from this morning. We had an
understeering car, and I also
made several mistakes on the
qualifying lap, so I’m not
really happy with
myself. Anyway, tomorrow is race
day, and we’ll work hard between
now and then to try and achieve
the best possible result.”
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Despite the grid positions,
however, the Faenza squad has high hopes for
tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix, particularly as their
engine partner, Cosworth, has developed a new and
more aggressive engine mode
specifically for this event |
|
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|
The final qualifying session of the 2005 FIA Formula
One season saw Minardi Team driver', Christijan
Albers, secure 18th position on the grid for
tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix |
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ROBERT DOORNBOS (Best lap: 1 min 39.460 secs; Position:
20th)
“It’s been a busy day in the Minardi
garage, as we had a gearbox problem this morning that
reduced our available track time. Even with only a few laps
running, though, I was able to find a good balance in the
car, so we felt we were in good shape for qualifying. The
lap started out well, as the initial sector time was good,
but then I lost almost a second in the last sector, so we’ll
have to find out what caused that. We’ll check the data and
aim to make up for today with a good performance in the race
tomorrow.”
PAUL STODDART,
Team Principal, Minardi Cosworth
“Despite a gearbox
problem with Robert’s car in the first of today’s two
practice sessions, the team completed its technical
programme in preparation for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of
China. Qualifying did not go quite as we had expected;
however, both cars are carrying a heavy fuel load, which
will hopefully pay dividends in the race.”
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