Sato Rues Qualifying Mistake

Takuma Sato blamed the tricky conditions at the Albert Park circuit for his crash during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

The session was stopped briefly after Sato spun his BAR into a concrete wall on his warm-up lap, leaving debris on the track. The Japanese driver was aquaplaning since the start of his flying lap and, on intermediate tyres, he could not control his car.

"It's been a very mixed day for us," said Sato, whose car had stopped at the end of free practice with an electrical problem. "The track started to dry again early in the qualifying session but when it was time for me to leave the garage the rain started again and was very heavy.

"With intermediate tyres it was impossible to drive the car in those conditions. I tried my best in very difficult circumstances but there was nothing I could do. All I can do now is try my hardest from the back of the grid for the race on Sunday."

The team said they were still unsure if they would have time to repair the car in time for qualifying or if Sato would have to use the spare machine.

Sato's teammate Jenson Button finished eighth quickest.