Canadian GP Minardi race notes

Gaston Mazzacane:
"It has been a tough race! When the track was dry I preferred not to push too hard because I felt some strong vibrations on the steering wheel. Later on in the rain this problem was almost overcome but my helmet was completely steamed up. Visibility was really blurred, I couldn't find any points of reference and, therefore, I was not able to keep a steady rhythm. The only positive fact is that this is the sixth time I've crossed the finishing line and I finished my second race in wet conditions. However, I am not satisfied, I would have liked to do a better performance."

Marc Gene:
"A very difficult race for me, too. Despite rain had been predicted during the second half of the race, we decided to start in dry trim and as a result, my performance was jeopardised. I had a bad start because I found Irvine standing in front of me and, in the attempt to avoid him, I lost one place with Heidfeld taking an advantage over me. On dry track my car was feeling very good, I was scoring competitive times and was keeping the same rhythm as my rivals. When it started to rain I passed Button and I got to the pits to switch to wet tyres but my car became more difficult to drive as soon as the track was getting wetter. It is likely that all the other drivers were experiencing the same concern, however it was really hard to handle the car on track due to so much aquaplaning. In fact, with only a few laps left to the end I lost the rear car and I spun off in the middle of the straight line just before braking. I let the engine go off, as a result. I am disappointed; with only three laps left to the end, I would have probably needed to slow down."

Gian Carlo Minardi:
"It is clear that the race was split into two parts: in dry track conditions Marc scored an excellent time given that he was running in 1:20.5 which turned out to be his best time throughout the week-end. Gaston did his best and the times he was recording were very good. Obviously when you have to start from the last row you only think to protect yourself. In the second part Gaston found it hard to drive in the pouring rain, nonetheless his driving has improved in comparison with other races in the same weather conditions. Marc's performance was pretty good until he spun off due to aquaplaning."