Bahrain GP: Sauber Friday practice notes

Sauber Petronas drivers Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella finished 15th and 17th respectively after today's first practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Giancarlo Fisichella:

"This morning was fine, but this afternoon wasn't so good. I had too much oversteer, so we have more work to do on set-up this evening. It is also still quite difficult for us to do a good lap first time out on new tyres."

"I haven't been feeling too well since I got to Bahrain. I've had a high temperature and fever, but it doesn't actually affect me when I'm driving and I'm sure I'll be okay for the race."

Felipe Massa:

"I did a long run this afternoon but there was so much traffic that I couldn't use all my laps. But at least we have an idea of the direction to take for tomorrow. The balance of the car needs improvement as I had a lot of oversteer on turn-in, but otherwise it wasn't too bad."

"My last lap should have been two or three tenths faster but I made a mistake in Turn 13 and spun. The grip level is okay here on the line, but once you get even slightly off it, it's like ice."

Peter Sauber (Team principal):

"We had time today in the two sessions to gather a lot of data in order to improve the set-up for tomorrow and we were able to make our tyre choice. We think that we have a good basis for the race."

Driver (Chassis)
Giancarlo Fisichella (C23-04)
1st Free Practice: 1:35.388s, 16th
2nd Free Practice: 1:33.061s, 17th

Felipe Massa (C23-03)
1st Free Practice: 1:34.488s, 8th
2nd Free Practice : 1:33.031s, 15th
Spare (C23-01)

-sauber-