Rd.4 San Marino Grand Prix 2004

24/04/2004

Grand Prix of San Marino - Qualifying Round-Up

Cristiano da Matta (Car 16 Chassis TF104/04)
Pre-Qualifying: 13th
Lap Time: 1m21.737.s (+1.932s)
Qualifying: 10th
Lap Time: 1m21.087.s (+1.334s)
Grid Position: 10th

"I am happy to be in the top ten again. Actually I pushed a little bit too
hard in sector one which cost me some time. With another couple of tenths
less I would have been in the top six. The handling of the TF104 was quite
good and the car felt really strong in the second and third sectors of my
lap. I made no mistakes and was able to drive aggressively. Tomorrow I will
do my best to finish in the points."

Olivier Panis (Car 17 Chassis TF104/03)
Pre-Qualifying: 10th
Lap Time: 1m21.231s (+1.426s)
Qualifying: 13th
Lap Time: 1m21.558s (+1.805s)
Grid Position: 13th

"We have done a good job again this weekend. In fact the gap to some of the
other teams is much closer. It is positive that we are progressing
constantly and concentrate on the right issues. Reliability is a strong
point so hopefully we can have a successful race. Unfortunately I had an
electronic problem on the warm-up lap and was close to stopping the car but
then the system came back. However it may have affected my concentration
and cost me three tenths or so."

Luca Marmorini - Technical Director Engine
"I am really satisfied with our qualifying result. Traditionally Imola has
not been one of our more competitive circuits but we are right in among a
very close set of times in the middle of the grid. Generally the set-up is
good and the drivers have consistently improved it since yesterday. There
are six cars within two tenths of a second and so we can be optimistic for
the race tomorrow. Imola is quite tough on engines but currently we have a
100% finishing record in races this year. There is not a lot of full
throttle running as the track has a lot of bumps and kerb-riding which is
stressful for engines and means very high rpm. Of course we will be aiming
for points in the race."