By Jamie Makin
July 3 2004

Team SAUBER PETRONAS drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa will start tomorrow´s French Grand Prix from 15th and 16th position respectively after this afternoon´s qualifying sessions. Saturday, Qualifying 1:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	1:15.793	15
F. Massa	C23-01	1:14.627	12
Spare Car	C23-04	-	-

Saturday, Qualifying 2:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-03	1:16.177	15
F. Massa	C23-01	1:16.200	16
Spare Car	C23-04	-	-

Team SAUBER PETRONAS continued to struggle at the Circuit de Nevers today, after having lost the chance to gain valuable data yesterday due to rainy conditions. Today's running did not see them improve as much as their rivals. Both Toyota and McLaren have gained a lot of ground, and Sauber are now languishing near the rear of the grid, beating only the Jordans and Minardis.

In the final practice session, Giancarlo Fisichella experienced damage to his front suspension which forced him to switch to the T-car for qualifying. "I´m still not sure what happened in the final corner this morning, when my front push rod broke. We are still analysing all the data," the Italian said. "As a result I had to go to the T-car, which had most but not all of the latest aerodynamic package, so the grip was not quite as good. It was a difficult qualifying session for us, but we did a good job with the fuel load we were carrying."

Felipe Massa remains optimistic for better results in race conditions. "We knew that qualifying here was going to be tough for us, as our tyres are always better in the race," claimed the Brazilian. "Our grid places look not so good, but we will be a lot stronger in the race. I´m pretty happy with what I did this afternoon, especially as the track was more slippery while I was out because of the stronger wind that pushed me a little wide in the quick chicane."

Team boss, Peter Sauber summed up the situation. "Qualifying was tough and turned out the way we expected it would here, but we know that in equally challenging circumstances tomorrow our set-up will be stronger and hope for a better deal."

Historically, Magny-Cours has been a tough circuit for the Sauber team. Their last points-paying finish came in 2001 with Nick Heidfeld's 6th place. Last year, Heidfeld and Frentzen lined up in the exact same grid positions of 15th and 16th in the uncompetitive C22, and were only able to work their way up to finish 13th and 12th respectively.

The Circuit de Nevers is notoriously difficult to pass on, but it is likely Sauber has opted to qualify the cars heavy on fuel and employ their very successful two-stop strategy. This strategy has helped them gain a great deal of positions in the last half dozen races. With a combination of this strategy and some attrition at the front, it is conceivable that they could still work their way into the points in tomorrow's race.

Saturday, Free Practice 3:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:15.910	9
F. Massa	C23-01	1:16.619	14
Spare Car	C23-03	-	-

Saturday, Free Practice 4:

Driver	Chassis	Best Time	Position
G. Fisichella	C23-04	1:16.161	15
F. Massa	C23-01	1:16.062	14
Spare Car	C23-03	-	-

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