Stoddart: Lack of Testing Cost Us Dear

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart says the lack of testing at the Barcelona circuit cost his team dear in first qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

"This may only have been the first day of practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, but it has become clear in the course of the day that Minardi's lack of testing at a track where so many other F1 teams test extensively has cost us dearly," said Stoddart.

Dutchman Jos Verstappen and Briton Justin Wilson finished at the bottom of the times, nearly two seconds off the pace of the closest of their rivals.

The Small Anglo-Italian squad are one of four teams who had opted for Friday testing, but they have been the only ones not to take advantage of any of the 20 days of testing outside the Grand Prix weekends.

Despite their positions, Stoddart was pleased with his drivers' performance.

"Both Justin and Jos drove faultlessly today, however, and got the best out of the equipment at their disposal," he said. "It's clear that we've got much work to do and we'll hope to make progress tomorrow."