Positive Day for Minardi Drivers

Italian Gianmaria Bruni was pleased after today's practice for the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring circuit.

"It has been a positive day," said Bruni, who posted the 21st quickest time with his Minardi.

"We found a good balance on the tyre that we are likely to choose for qualifying and the race, and I'm also reasonably pleased with my lap time, particularly since it is my first time driving a Formula One car at the Nurburgring.

"I have to thank the engineers, who really helped me a lot today. I am definitely going to bed early tonight in an effort to get rid of the cold that I picked up after Monaco."

The Italian driver finished ahead of both his teammates and Jordan's racing drivers Nick Heidfeld and Giorgio Pantano. Bruni's Hungarian teammate Zsolt Baumgartner was right behind the Italian, just two tenths slower.

"We had two positive sessions and found a good chassis balance, so I'm happy with the outcome today," Baumgartner said. "I had a problem with two other cars in the second sector of what should have been my fastest lap this afternoon, but other than that, things went well and I hope we can work on improving further tomorrow."

Test driver Bas Leinders, meanwhile, was the slowest man today.