German GP Friday Minardi notes

GERMAN GRAND PRIX - Hockenheim, 31st July 1998 FREE PRACTICE

ESTEBAN TUERO Chassis 05 20th laps 18 time: 1:48,175 "Today I drove the Hockenheim circuit for the first time with an F1 car and I must say that I found this circuit being much more demanding, compared to my previous experience I had here, in Formula 3000 - mostly because of the bumpy configuration, which makes it difficult to control the braking. I would have preferred to stay longer on the track, to become more confident with it but, after a quite satisfying first practice session, in which we worked hard to set the car the best way, in the second session I just completed one lap, because of a problem with the gearbox."

SHINJI NAKANO Chassis 04 21st laps 25 time: 1:48,832 "The car was struggling a lot, today, because of oversteering and some problems with the gearbox, in both morning and afternoon practice sessions, which ended sooner than scheduled, because of a spin. This track is very demanding, mostly as far as brakes are concerned. We have to work hard to solve these problems before tomorrow's qualifying."

TREVOR KNOWLES - (Ford Cosworth) Support engineer: " M3 engines from Austria were fitted today, which both ran smoothly. After finishing today's kilometers, these engines are going back to England, for rebuilding."

Spare-car (chassis 03) is prepared for Esteban Tuero.