Hungarian GP: Minardi Saturday qualifying notes

The Hungaroring is a difficult and technically demanding circuit, and with today's final preparations for the Hungarian Grand Prix complicated by high ambient temperatures and a stiff breeze, the situation was even more challenging than normal for European Minardi Cosworth drivers, Jos Verstappen and Nicolas Kiesa. As usual, the Saturday morning sessions were allocated primarily to finalising chassis set-up and configuration for this afternoon's final qualifying session and the opening stints of tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, both sessions were punctuated by a number of on-track incidents that hindered smooth progress. Kiesa also had a non-damaging spin, close to the end of the first session, which landed his car in a gravel trap. Despite the interruptions, however, the team remains generally pleased with the progress made, and with Verstappen and Kiesa starting tomorrow's Grand Prix from 18th and 20th positions respectively, the aim, as ever, will be to have the most competitive race possible.

Jos Verstappen:

"It was a good lap and I have to say I don't really know what we could do to go any quicker. We have to be happy with today's result, bearing in mind the resources we have available to us. I think our strategy is the right one and we'll do the best we can tomorrow. It will be a tough race for everyone, I think."

Nicolas Kiesa:

"We've simply run into a set-up problem with the chassis, which has resulted in a lot of understeer along with rear instability, and unfortunately, I don't have the information or the experience of Formula One yet to be able to assist in fully resolving it. We need to understand the problem in order to find the best solution. I'm obviously disappointed with this performance, but I'll just try to do my best in the race tomorrow with the main aim being to get to the chequered flag again."

Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, European Minardi Cosworth:

"Despite the hot and windy conditions today, both drivers did the best possible in this morning's interrupted practice sessions to prepare for final qualifying, the result of which was P18 and P20 for Jos and Nicolas respectively. I think tomorrow's race is going to be a test of both man and machine if these weather conditions prevail. Hopefully, if we stay reliable, we can score a point or two."

JOS VERSTAPPEN
Position: 18
Time: 1 min 26.423 secs
Chassis: PS03/02

NICOLAS KIESA
Position: 20
Time: 1 min 28.907 secs
Chassis: PS03/01

-minardi-