Fisi aims to bounce back

The Sauber, the Italian reckons, is improving, and even after a rather disappointing start to the season, he says that he's happy with the team.

"I was very happy with the C23 at our test in Silverstone two weeks ago," said Fisichella. "We have an even better understanding of setting the car up and I have more confidence in it, and that all helps. I am feeling comfortable with my situation here, which is living up to my pre-season expectations."

Felipe Massa bagged Sauber's best finish of the season at Monaco and unsurprisingly the young Brazilian is on a bit of a high. "It was great to score four points in Monaco and to help the team to move up to the fifth place in the World Championship for Constructors," he said.

"Now at the Nurburgring we need to try to defend this position, which will not be an easy task, for sure. However, I was sixth there in 2002, so naturally it is a circuit with good memories for me. I raced all the way through with my Sauber team-mate Nick Heidfeld and finished a place ahead of him. It would be nice to get a similar result this weekend although I'm aware that it will be difficult."

Massa too feels progress was made in the Silverstone test, saying: "We had some new aerodynamic parts and the car was very well balanced and stable in the fast corners there."