Monaco GP Saturday Minardi notes

MONACO GRAND PRIX - Montecarlo, 15th May 1999 QUALIFYING

LUCA BADOER Chassis 04 20th 12 laps time: 1:23,765 "My car is good balanced for a faster lap now, in comparison with this morning when the set up was still to be found. Generally speaking, I experienced a pretty positive day. And I am confident for tomorrow."

MARC GENE' Chassis 01 + T-car 22nd 11 laps time: 1:24,914 "I am very disappointed today. In the first incident something happened which is not clear to me, yet. At the chicane my car was out of control and I smashed against the barrier.I think it has been the strongest shunt I experienced so far. I switched to the T-car and I managed to improve my time. Furtherly, I made a mistake and I spun off at the Tabac corner. It was a very unlucky day!"

CESARE FIORIO - Sporting director: "Again the Fondmetal Minardi improved its time in comparison with last year, whereas this year's Pole position has increased by eight tenth. This means that we are more than one second closer to the top of the grid. This is a proof we are going in the right direction."

FORD MOTORSPORT Roger Griffiths - Motorsport Project Leader: "It was a very eventful session. We thought we had an engine problem before the qualifying but fortunately it didn't turn out to be the case. We are happy with Luca's result being ahead of an Arrows. Not so for Marc who didn't go ver well in the T-car having never driven it at the circuit. This evening both engines will be changed in the race cars in preparation for tomorrow."