Austrian GP Sauber race notes

Jean Alesi: What can I say? I didn't see my pit board telling me to come in for my second fuel stop because I was so close behind Damon Hill, and I couldn't hear the radio properly. I ran out of fuel. It's very bad for me, especially as the car was going so well.

Pedro Diniz:

We decided to run with a low downforce set-up after our experience in qualifying yesterday, and the car felt much better in the warm-up this morning. I made a great start in the race; I certainly didn't expect to be eighth after a lap! Early on I had a good fight with Ralf Schumacher. He put me on the grass a couple of times, then I overtook him round the outside and when we got to the hairpin he tried to come back at me, outbraked himself and spun off. I just managed to miss him! Our two-stop strategy was right, given our grid positions. But when I found myself running so high up so early on, a single-stop strategy would have been better, but by then of course we were already committed. Nevertheless, I had a good race and the car felt very strong. I'm really pleased to score another point.

Peter Sauber:

To start a race so far down the grid, yet to score a point, takes a lot of risk. Our two-stop strategy was right in those circumstances, and gave Pedro and Jean the chance to fight for points. Each did this in an impressive manner, to the delight of the crowd!

Weather:

Overcast but warm.