German GP: Minardi Friday practice notes

With track temperatures over 50 deg C and the air temperature hovering around 34 deg C at the Hockenheimring, preparations for this Sunday's German Grand Prix posed even more of a challenge today than normal.

Nonetheless, Wilux Minardi Cosworth race drivers, Gianmaria Bruni and Zsolt Baumgartner, plus test driver, Bas Leinders, worked steadily through their assigned technical tasks for the opening day of the 12th round of the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship.

As usual, the primary focus was on achieving a satisfactory chassis balance around Hockenheim's twists and turns, and evaluating the tyre choices available from technical partner, Bridgestone, this weekend. Progress was made in all areas, and the team looks forward to another productive day tomorrow.

Zsolt Baumgartner:

"It wasn't too bad a day. We found a good balance for the car, although we need to work on it just a bit more tomorrow. I'm very happy that we were able to run both sessions without any problems and particularly want to thank the guys for all their hard work in this heat. I'm now looking forward to tomorrow and hoping to be able to perform to a similar level."

Bas Leinders:

"We tested a few small things today to improve the balance of the car. We lost a little time in the morning while an electronics matter was dealt with, but we were able to make the time up by the end of the session."

"In the afternoon, we started out with an oversteer problem, which we solved, but then we created another problem that couldn't be adjusted out before the end of the session. We were also losing some time on the straight in the afternoon. Generally, though, I'm pleased with the lap time we achieved at the end, as it shows I can be on the pace of Gimmi and Zsolt."

Gianmaria Bruni:

"It turned out okay in the end. I had a problem on my first run, so I set my quickest lap of the day during my second run this afternoon. The guys found a hydraulic problem in the last few laps of the second session, and it seems it was that which caused me some difficulty in downshifting. Apart from those small things, though, it has been a good day and we were able to make a good tyre choice. We'll see how we go tomorrow."

Paul Stoddart, Team Principal:

"Today saw all three Minardi drivers compete their full technical programme in preparation for Sunday's German GP. The times were very respectable and it's always pleasing to see us in among the Jordans."

ZSOLT BAUMGARTNER
Chassis: PS04B/01 (No.21)
Best lap: 1 min 18.098 secs
Position: 22nd

BAS LEINDERS, Test Driver
Chassis: PS04B/03 (Spare)
Best lap: 1 min 18.224 secs
Position: 23rd

GIANMARIA BRUNI
Chassis: PS04B/02 (No.20)
Best lap: 1 min 18.309 secs
Position: 25th

-minardi-