Canadian GP Minardi notes

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX - Montreal, 13th June 1999 THE RACE

MARC GENE' Chassis 04 8th 1:41:39.918 "I' m very happy because after the problems encountered in the warm-up, I started my race without feeling confident in my car. I was testing brand new brakes for the very first time and at the beginning I was cautious in order to get the rythm without taking too many risks. After fifteen laps I felt more comfortable and I pushed hard. I even managed to improve my lap time in comparison with those clocked up in the qualifying session. My car's behaviour was good. Panis was catching me up but I maintained my position on board an extremely reliable car. The team did an excellent job today. It has been my best race in this Championship, so far!"

LUCA BADOER Chassis 01 10th 1:41:38.062 "I'm really disappointed further to the race direction's decision to penalize me. I was doing a good race: a battle with Prost and Williams for fourty laps is very positive for our Team. I don't agree with this decision which is a misleading error. My car was excellent as it was in today's warm-up and during the race I managed to keep a nicer rythm than other cars. From this point of view it has been a pretty good race."

GABRIELE RUMI: "In such a hard race we are pleased to have reached our main objective: both cars proved reliable until the finishing line. The race direction took a wrong decision stopping Badoer who was pursued by another car and didn't deserve the blue flags which were for his rival. This damaged us changing our driver's position. We could have scored the eighth and nineth position today."

CESARE FIORIO: "Despite this weekend's concerns, our drivers did a very good job today. Luca was battling to reach the points and he could have succeeded without that penalty. Marc completed his experience on this track proving his determination in resisting to Panis' attack. He also managed to fight against other cars with a great dignity. I feel the Team behaved brilliantly today."