Trulli ran in second place throughout the first stint of the race but lost
some ground as the race progressed, the Italian not entirely happy with the handling
of his TF105 chassis.
“The rear end of the car was sliding quite a lot,” Trulli said,
“and I was unable to maintain the kind of pace necessary to achieve another
podium finish. I ran quite a long middle stint and so was quite heavy, which probably
did not help with the rear-end grip, but in the end we didn’t quite run
long enough to protect my position.”
Ralf Schumacher’s entire race weekend was compromised by having to run
first in Saturday qualifying, when grip levels were at their lowest, as a result
of his crash at Indianapolis a fortnight ago.
“I did my best and as the attrition rate was not very high today, I think
I have to be very satisfied with improving by five positions and scoring two points.
The way the rules are this year, if you have a problem in one race it has a knock-on
effect in the next, and the good thing is that I will now have a reasonable qualifying
opportunity at Silverstone next week.”
The race brought the fifth win of the year for Mild Seven Renault F1 driver
Fernando Alonso, who beat championship rival and West McLaren Mercedes driver
Kimi Raikkonen into second place. Third place was claimed by Michael Schumacher
for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, one place ahead of Britain’s Jenson Button,
who scored the first points of the season for Lucky Strike BAR Honda. Renault’s
Giancarlo Fisichella split the two Toyota drivers, with Jacques Villeneuve claiming
the final point for Sauber Petronas.
“Getting both cars into the points is a good result and we can be pleased
with that,” said Technical Director, Chassis, Mike Gascoyne. “Both
drivers reported a lack of rear-end grip and Ralf, especially, after going out
first in qualifying yesterday, did a fine job to finish up 7th. A further six
points for the team consolidates our fourth place in the constructors’ championship
and gives us good qualifying slots for the next race at Silverstone.
“Overall, it was a pity that we couldn’t hold onto a podium position
with Jarno, but we have to be very positive about the weekend.”
The longest championship in F1 history continues with round 11 at Silverstone
in just seven days time.
| 
