US GP: Sauber preview

German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen will race in the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis on 29 September for Team Sauber Petronas alongside fellow countrymen Nick Heidfeld. The decision was made following a thorough analysis of the Silverstone test last week. Frentzen will replace Felipe Massa, who was penalised at Monza, for one race. This decision puts Team Sauber Petronas into a stronger position to defend its place in the Constructors' Championship."

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway poses some interesting technical challenges when it comes to setting up the cars. This is because it is a medium to low downforce circuit. The corner leading on to the straight is flat out and the cars run for a very long time on full throttle through it and all the way down to Turn One. But after that, there is the tricky infield section, with two very tight corners. This means that you have to achieve a happy compromise regarding the configuration in which you run the car."

"Because of the high speed - over 330 km/h - down the pit straight, you also need good braking stability for the first corner. "

Nick Heidfeld (48 GPs, 7 World Championship points):

"I enjoy running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is a good mixture of very high speed motoring and an infield that is technical and requires a good car set-up. I'm really looking forward to racing there again."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen (First race with Team Sauber Petronas):

"I am really happy about this chance to get racing experience again with Sauber Petronas, prior to my full season in 2003. I am of course, familiar with Indianapolis after racing there in the previous two Grands Prix. This will give me a valuable chance to re-establish old relationships within the team and to forge new ones."

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