Formula 1
Japanese GP: Sauber Saturday notes
Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa qualified their Sauber Petronas C21s 12th and 15th fastest respectively for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix. Nick Heidfeld: "My biggest problem this afternoon was that I never got four clean runs. I lost my second ...
Published: Oct 12, 2002, 5:15 PM
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Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa qualified their Sauber Petronas C21s 12th and 15th fastest respectively for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix.
Nick Heidfeld:
"My biggest problem this afternoon was that I never got four clean runs. I lost my second timed lap because it was the one on which Allan McNish had his accident, but of course I'm pleased to hear that he is okay. On my next one I got held up by Michael, and my best was my last run, which I spoiled with a mistake near the end. I also had a problem with the tyres graining from the Spoon Curve onwards. So overall it could have been a lot better, but at least we know that we have improved the car significantly since yesterday."
Felipe Massa:
"I'm very disappointed with the way things went this afternoon. The balance of my car wasn't as good as it had been this morning, when the car felt pretty neutral, and my second run was spoiled by the McLarens. I set my time on my third run, but my last one looked pretty good for the first two sectors until the tyres started graining. By the time I got to the chicane I had too much understeer and wasn't able to improve."
Peter Sauber (Team Principal):
"Despite Nick's strong performance we weren't able to make the top 10. But the times are close, and it seems likely that the excellent reliability of the Sauber Petronas C21 may be the deciding factor in tomorrow's battle for fifth place in the World Championship for Constructors. We are well prepared for the fight, and above all I wish Nick and Felipe success and an accident-free race."
Driver (Chassis)
Heidfeld (C21-01)
1:33.553s, 12th
Massa (C21-02)
1:33.979s, 15th
Spare: (C21-04)
-sauber-
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