SAUBER Quick in Practice for Chinese GP

By SAUBER PETRONAS
September 25 2004

SAUBER PETRONAS drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa finished 6th and 12th respectively after today´s first practice sessions for the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Friday, Free Practice 1:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:34.680	6
F. Massa	C23-03	1:34.959	12
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

Friday, Free Practice 2:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:36.944	9
F. Massa	C23-03	1:36.806	4
Spare Car	C23-02	-	-

Giancarlo Fisichella (Driver):

"I'm quite happy, and it's been a good day. We are going in the right direction, and the balance is getting better and better. We had a graining problem, but considering that this is the first day on a new track it is encouraging. I'm optimistic for a start in the first four or five rows tomorrow."

Felipe Massa (Driver):

"I was on a really good first run with the fastest first and second sector times until Sato had his engine failure. After that I still managed the fastest time at one stage. The car is quite competitive, and though we were struggling a little with tyre graining that will improve when the circuit gets more rubber down tomorrow. It's a really nice track. Turn One is very technical, the two quick corners are great fun and I can see some good overtaking opportunities. My first impressions are even better than I expected."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal):

"Today enabled us to take our first laps on a beautiful new circuit. Both drivers - and the C23 itself - seem very comfortable with it, and I'm pleased with our initial result."

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