Stoddart Happy with Minardi Pace
Minardi chief Paul Stoddart was encouraged with his team's start to the European Grand Prix despite some problems hitting his drivers
Austrian Patrick Friesacher lost a lot of track time in the afternoon after suffering mechanical problems in his Minardi PS05.
The rookie driver managed to complete just five laps and finished in 23rd position.
His teammate Christijan Albers had a trouble-free day but was not happy with his car's handling after setting the 22nd fastest time.
Stoddart, nonetheless, was happy with the team's pace.
"Despite Patrick losing most of the second session due to a damaged wiring loom and a clutch problem, overall, we're relatively pleased by today's performance at a track that we felt would not necessarily suit our car at an early stage in its development," said Stoddart.
"That said, to end the day between the Jordans, and within a respectable distance of Sauber and Red Bull Racing, is highly encouraging indeed. Hopefully, tomorrow we can work on reliability and set-up for what we hope will be an exciting race on Sunday."
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