Chinese GP: Sauber race notes

Team Sauber Petronas drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa finished seventh and eighth respectively in today's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, to score three more world championship points.

Giancarlo Fisichella:

"I'm happy with seventh place, because my tyres were graining really badly from the start. After each stop the car was very, very competitive on new tyres and the balance came back again, but when the tyres started graining I was two seconds slower than the car's true potential. Considering all that, scoring points with both cars is a great result."

Felipe Massa:

"I had a fantastic opening lap. I really enjoyed my fight with Button and was very happy to overtake him again after he had gone past me. But after two laps I had incredible graining on the tyres and the car was understeering so much I was holding everyone up. I'm actually surprised that I didn't lose more places."

"After the stops I could push hard again and catch up, but over the final seven laps I had a flat spot on a front tyre and it was so difficult turning into right-hand corners that I was afraid I might not finish. It was a good fight with Coulthard at the end, and I'm happy to score another point in the circumstances."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

"The first Chinese Grand Prix was a great experience for everyone. It was an interesting race and, for us, exciting throughout. Our lap times were competitive with those of the top teams and we were always in contention to score points. I am happy to go to Suzuka with another three in our pocket."

Giancarlo Fisichella: 7th
Chassis: C23-04
Felipe Massa: 8th
Chassis: C23-03

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