Spanish GP Saturday Sauber notes

Jean Alesi:

I feel fantastic! This morning the car was the best it has been all season, but this is one of those circuits where it's really easy to go in the wrong direction. We knew the car felt balanced on a knife-edge then, and that even a small change the wrong way could destroy its efficiency, so instead of innovating like some others we just made tiny steps for qualifying and tuned it by millimetres, and it paid off. For sure the car is better with the new undertray and suspension, and it was fabulous to be fastest for so long. I knew that could not last, but to be fifth on the grid is a dream.

Pedro Diniz:

My car was better this morning than this afternoon, where the track temperature was lower. We got a little bit caught out as it rose, and after I had oversteer at the beginning of qualifying we went a little too much the other way. But the car is better at this race, and I'll be looking for points tomorrow.

Peter Sauber:

Congratulations to Jean for his impressive performance, and thanks also to the mechanics and engineers for this team effort. Last but not least, my compliments to the engine specialists who prepare the Sauber Petronas V10. Pedro's time also proves that Jean's was not a fluke due to a lower track temperature at the beginning of the session.

Weather:

Sunny