Sauber Duo Hindered by Tyre Problem

Sauber drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa continued to struggle with their tyres in the opening practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix.

"This is a difficult circuit for us, and once again we have been struggling on our first lap on new tyres," said Italian Fisichella at the end of the session. "On long runs, however, I think we are competitive with the Michelin teams.

"This afternoon I still couldn't improve the grip of my car or get rid of oversteer that I had this morning, and unfortunately on my final run on new tyres I encountered some rain. The major problem then, however, was a yellow flag which forced me to slow down."

Fisichella, who has not scored any points this season, was the slowest of the Sauber duo, posting the 19th quickest, two places behind Massa.

The young Brazilian, who like his teammate had already complained of the same problem with the tyres at the San Marino Grand Prix two weeks earlier, said his car was much better on long runs.

"I should have improved on my final run," claimed Massa. "Changes we had made to the car gave me much better grip than I'd had previously and the balance was good, but there were spots of rain in the first and final sectors and the last two corners in particular were really slippery.

"We lack grip over one lap, but on long runs we are pretty consistent."