It was a case of varying fortunes for Minardi F1 Team drivers, Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher in this morning’s final qualifying session for the 2005 Foster’s Australian Grand Prix. Friesacher recorded a lap of 1 min 37.499 secs, and the aggregate of this time plus that posted in the first qualifying session, on Saturday afternoon, sees the Austrian driver line up in 16th position on the grid.

Albers experienced a gear selection problem while leaving the team’s garage for his final qualifying run, and unfortunately, by the time the problem had been rectified and the engine restarted, his qualifying “window” had closed.

Albers therefore has to start this afternoon’s race behind those drivers who posted times in both qualifying sessions, but even so, his Saturday lap time will see him launch into his first Formula One race from 17th position.

Minardi personnel also derived a certain amount of satisfaction this morning from the fact that the first three positions in the starting line-up for the 2005 Foster’s Australian Grand Prix are occupied by former drivers of the Faenza team.
 

PATRICK FRIESACHER

“The car was oversteering in this morning’s qualifying run, possibly because the weather and track conditions had changed from yesterday, and it was not so easy to drive. Even so, we have a reasonable grid position, and I will be hoping for a good result in the race” 

CHRISTIJAN ALBERS

“Unfortunately, I just couldn’t select first gear when I tried to drive out of the garage. The guys pulled the car back in, did a re-set and restarted the engine, but by then it was too late, as the pit lane had closed.

"We dropped two grid positions as a result, but even so, I think there is the possibility to have a good race this afternoon. We’ll do our best.”