Italian GP comments

Sunday
Jean Alesi:
"It’s really a shame that I couldn’t race the way I like to because of the car’s aerodynamic shortcomings. It was a very difficult race for me, especially because of my emotional attachment to Monza."

Pedro Diniz:
"I made a really good start and got up to 11th place after overtaking Wurz on the second lap, but unfortunately I got dirt on my tyres while doing that. When I got to the first chicane and turned in, the car lost grip and I spun. It’s a real shame after that start, but it was a move I had to try."

Peter Sauber:
"Jean once again drove a faultless race and never gave up trying until the chequered flag dropped. On this track the C18 is not quick enough but he managed to climb from 13th place to ninth at the finish, profiting only from Hakkinen’s retirement. It’s a pity that Pedro was unable to build on his superb performance from the morning warm-up (fourth fastest) during the race itself, but when you start 16th you are entitled to – indeed you must – take a risk, and that’s what Pedro did"

Saturday

Jean Alesi:
"This morning the front end of the car lacked grip on turn-in, and under braking, and I had a moment of confusion when lights lit up on my dashboard, as the FIA was experimenting with the new system of electronic onboard flag signals.
This afternoon I did my best, but it will be hard for the race starting so far back."

Pedro Diniz:
"We improved the car a little more for qualifying, but it’s really frustrating to lose four places because of five thousandths of a second! That shows how hard F1 is. The car was oversteering a bit this afternoon, but when I spun at the end at the second Lesmo I was on my slowing down lap, so it didn’t matter."

Peter Sauber:
"Monza is another high-speed, low-downforce track such as Hockenheim, which is not the best combination for our car. But compared with qualifying in Germany we have improved. Nevertheless, we are not satisfied.
It is pleasing to see Pedro so close to Jean. The fact that four cars (Alesi, Wurz, Herbert, Diniz) are within such a small lap time span again endorses just how close F1 is today. Because we are stronger in the race than in the qualifying, we hope to score a point tomorrow, with a little bit of luck."

Friday

Jean Alesi:
"This morning my car was a bit too pitch sensitive, but the engine felt strong. Unfortunately, it broke this afternoon, just as I was getting ready to go quicker."

Pedro Diniz:
"The track started off more slippery than it was during last week’s test, but it was getting better as the day went on. We have taken a step forward with our set-up, and I was quite pleased with things today. The car is good under braking, but there is still a bit too much understeer."

Peter Sauber:
"It’s a pity that Jean’s engine failed this afternoon, because for most of the morning session he had been fastest. Pedro did 42 laps today, and improved continuously. All in all, it was good groundwork for tomorrow."