British GP: Sauber race notes

The team Sauber Petronas drivers Nick Heidfeld and Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished 17th and 12th respectively in today's British Grand Prix.

Nick Heidfeld:

"The race was very disappointing, even though I made a good start that won me some positions. When the safety car came out the second time because of the spectator on the track we decided that I should come into the pits earlier than scheduled. Then I had a flat right front tyre and had to pit again, so Fisichella passed me."

"That time the team filled the tank to the brim, which had enabled me to make it to the end. But it also made the car's balance difficult, and at the same time I was told to save fuel so I couldn't drive at maximum speed. Then the engineers warned me that the front right tyre pressure was too low, so I was forced to make a third stop."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen:

"I cannot say what happened at the start. All I know is that luckily I could stagger off the line. We need to analyse the data. Later I was able to make up some places and I wanted to come into the pits during the first safety car period, but we decided I should stay out. When the safety car was deployed the second time I came into the pits right behind Nick, and lost time. This race was definitely packed with excitement, with the spectator running on to track, Fisichella going off the road right in front of me, and finally Panis nearly hitting me as he came out of the pits."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

"I believe that we could have retrieved something from our difficult initial situation. The cars performed well, particularly Heinz-Harald's. The strategies were optimal as well, but the race was packed with incidents for both drivers. Heinz-Harald was not able to start well, most probably due to a problem in the launch system which must await analysis. He then had to chase up from the back. But he was able to attack Panis in the last third of the race. Nick was able to gain some positions before he had to come into the pits because of a flat right front tyre, and after this extra stop he had no further influence on the race result."

Driver (Chassis)
Heidfeld (C22-01): 17th
Frentzen (C22-03): 12th
Spare (C22-02)

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