US GP Benetton race notes

Flavio Briatore
"We made a mistake starting with the hard wet tyres and a heavy fuel load. We thought it had rained more than it had and the circuit dried quicker than we expected. So very early on in the race we knew it was all over for us."

Pat Symonds
"It was very difficult today to determine a sensible strategy with slightly unpredictable weather conditions. With our grid positions we had to take some risks and we didn’t get them right. I don’t think we gave our drivers a chance worthy of their abilities today. I hope that Alex’s seventh fastest lap was a truer reflection of our abilities."

Alexander Wurz
"I am not at all happy with this result. We made a mistake starting on heavy fuel and the hard wets, so I couldn’t get a good start and lost places immediately. My first pit stop to change to dry tyres was long for some reason and probably too early, so by the time I came out I was right at the back of the field. I pushed as hard as I could, and posted the 7th fastest lap time, but it was almost impossible to make up many places."

Giancarlo Fisichella
"The start was terrible for me as we had lots of fuel and the wrong tyres. Then I got a 10 second penalty for a jump start which left me in last place. From there, there was not a lot I could do, then an engine problem forced me to retire anyway. All in all this this has been a disastrous weekend for me!"