Formula 1
Bahrain GP: Minardi Friday practice notes
The first day of practice for the Grand Prix of Bahrain may have fallen on April Fools' Day, but Minardi F1 Team drivers Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher took the start of their preparations for Sunday's race very seriously. Neither had ...
Published: Apr 2, 2005, 8:50 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The first day of practice for the Grand Prix of Bahrain may have fallen on April Fools' Day, but Minardi F1 Team drivers Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher took the start of their preparations for Sunday's race very seriously.
Neither had driven on the stunning 5.417-km desert circuit previously, and both men used Friday's two one-hour sessions to acclimatise to the layout and its demands and, as normal, work on the chassis set-up of the Minardi Cosworth PS04B.
Albers and Friesacher initially reported a notable lack of grip on the dusty track surface, which accounted for a couple of non-damaging off-course excursions, but picked up the pace in the afternoon as conditions became more favourable. The team also took the opportunity to evaluate a modified front wing configuration in the course of the two sessions.
Patrick Freisacher:
"We made some worthwhile improvements to the car during the day, and I'm now feeling comfortable with the chassis set-up. I'm sure there is still a margin for improvement, though, and if all were to go well tomorrow, I think it could be possible to get into the 1 minute 34-second bracket."
Christijan Albers:
"I think we have the car working quite well at the moment, although we need to make some small adjustments for Saturday's single, flying-lap runs. We'll do that overnight, and then continue with our programme tomorrow. Overall, it has been a positive first day."
Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, Minardi Cosworth
"It was an uneventful, but productive day for Minardi. Both drivers completed their full technical programmes in preparation for Sunday's race, which should be the last for the Minardi Cosworth PS04B."
"The team looks forward to continuing its technical programme tomorrow, concentrating particularly on reliability this weekend. Both Christijan and Patrick had their first experience of driving at this magnificent track today, and acquitted themselves well in the warm conditions."
PATRICK FRIESACHER
Chassis: PS04B/02
Best lap: 1 min 35.325 secs
Position: 22nd
CHRISTIJAN ALBERS
Chassis: PS04B/04
Best lap: 1 min 36.094 secs
Position: 23rd
-minardi-
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bahrain GP: Sauber Friday practice notes
Next article Bahrain GP: Friday press conference
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Christijan Albers
Post-race rumours rock Monza paddock
Formula 1
Formula 1
Post-race rumours rock Monza paddock
Fernandes happy to have sold Caterham
Formula 1
Formula 1
Fernandes happy to have sold Caterham
Merhi waiting on F1 license for Monza debut
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Merhi waiting on F1 license for Monza debut
More from
Minardi
Alpine may be F1’s best ‘worst team’ of all time
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alpine may be F1’s best ‘worst team’ of all time
Alonso showed championship credentials in first F1 race - ex-Minardi boss
Formula 1
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alonso showed championship credentials in first F1 race - ex-Minardi boss
Top 10 Minardi F1 drivers ranked: Alonso, Webber, Badoer and more
Formula 1
Formula 1
Top 10 Minardi F1 drivers ranked: Alonso, Webber, Badoer and more
Latest news
NASCAR VP explains Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry penalties
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
2 h
NASCAR VP explains Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry penalties
Colton Herta to run Cadillac FP1 in Brazil as FIA superlicense quest continues
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Colton Herta to run Cadillac FP1 in Brazil as FIA superlicense quest continues
NASCAR issues penalties to Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry for Martinsville brake-checks
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 h
NASCAR issues penalties to Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry for Martinsville brake-checks
NASCAR making progress with short track show but drivers still want more
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 h
NASCAR making progress with short track show but drivers still want more
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe