San Marino Minardi Race Notes

SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX - 26th April 1998 THE RACE The 8th place in the San Marino Grand Prix is the best present for Esteban's twentieth birthday three days ago. The young Argentinean conquered the first chequered flag in his F1 career, the second in this season for the Fondmetal Minardi Ford. The San Marino Grand Prix comes to an early end for Shinji Nakano and once more because of engine's fault: in fact, on 27th lap his engine blows up and catches fire. ESTEBAN TUERO Chassis 03 8th time: 1h35:48,285 "I am very happy I ended the race within the first ten places: my position at the starting grid didn't make me feel so hopeful. This result is even more important for me because I got it in Italy. I wish to thank the team for all what they are doing for me: the best way to show my gratitude is to continue this way till the end of the season." SHINJI NAKANO Chassis 04 stop for engine failure at the 27th lap "I felt something strange already 10 laps before my car's engine blew up. I hoped I was wrong but I realised that the car didn't react well." GABRIELE RUMI - " The great work we are doing is giving the first positive signals. Today's result is a little step ahead toward our long - term target." GIAN CARLO MINARDI - " Esteban's performance outlines the driver's talent: in fact being just twentieth, he is doing really well. This result is important for the whole team, we're working hard and we feel highly motivated to go on in our commitment." MARK PARISH - Ford Cosworth Motorsport Programme Director: " Nakano's car engine had a catastrophic failure. All we can say now is that we need to analyse the engine at the factory." Imola, April 26th