US GP: Sauber race notes

Neither Team Sauber Petronas driver was able to finish today's US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Felipe Massa was the innocent victim of an accident on the first lap and Giancarlo Fisichella later suffered an hydraulic leakage resulting from an earlier puncture while running in a points-scoring position. As a result, the team drops to sixth position in the World Championship for Constructors.

Giancarlo Fisichella:

"After the first-corner accident we used the safety car period to refuel. I then did a very long stint but unfortunately I could not pass Heidfeld. Later on I picked up a puncture on lap 48. Having to drive so slowly back to the pits did some damage, so I subsequently had to retire because of an hydraulic leak just when we were set to score a point. Altogether, a very disappointing day."

Felipe Massa:

"I think I made a good start and I was trying to be very careful in Turn One. Suddenly I found Klien broadside across the road after some other cars crashed, and there was no way to avoid him. Once again, I was a passenger. After three troubled races I hope my luck changes for the better at Magny-Cours."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

"We had a very turbulent race, which brought us only negative 'highlights'. Felipe was an innocent victim in the first corner accident, and Giancarlo was frustrated to be trapped once again behind Heidfeld all through his first stint. Our tyre problem on lap 48 lost us seventh place, and this inflicted further damage to the car which subsequently robbed us of an eighth place finish due to an hydraulic leak."

Giancarlo Fisichella
Chassis: C23-04
Retired lap 66, hydraulic leak

Felipe Massa
Chassis: C23-01
Retired lap 1, accident

-sauber-