2006 United States Grand Prix - Final Practice & Qualifying
MF1 Racing enjoyed its finest qualifying performance of the
season to date, with both drivers entering the second session
for the first time in the team's history.
Tiago Monteiro drove the team's fastest lap of the weekend
with a time of 1:12.627 in the first session, with Christijan
Albers right behind him at 1:12.711 - the 11th and 12th fastest
times of the session, respectively.
In the second session, Albers and Monteiro each drove one
flying lap, the Dutchman edging out his Portuguese teammate
by 1/100th of a second to earn 14th position, one slot ahead
of Monteiro.
Tiago Monteiro (POR)
Chassis: M16-04, Car #18
Third Timed Practice Session: 13th, 1:12.913 (+2.153), 18
laps completed
Qualifying: 15th, 1:12.864 (+2.032 from Pole Position lap),
3 laps completed
Quote: "I think this is a great result for the team!
We finally got both cars into the second session, and that's
a major boost for everyone. After our performance in Canada,
we thought we might be able to do it here but we weren't really
sure. After our performance yesterday, we knew there was potential,
so we went for it, and both cars were very competitive today.
In my last run, I lost two or three tenths in the last corner
that leads to the straight. The back end stepped out on me
as a result of pushing so hard, but I took the risk because
I thought we might even be able to get into the top ten. Still,
it was a great day for Portugal today, both for myself and
our football team, and I'm very proud to display my country's
logo on my car and racing suit in the race tomorrow."
Christijan Albers (NED)
Chassis: M16-02, Car #19
Third Timed Practice Session: 18th, 1:13.172 (+2.412), 19
laps completed
Qualifying: 14th, 1:12.854 (+2.022 from Pole Position lap),
3 laps completed
Quote: "The session may have looked good on paper, but
we still have a lot of work to do for tomorrow, because tomorrow
is the day that counts, not today. Today we were able to celebrate
a little bit, but we don't get points for qualifying, so we
have to remain focused on running a good race. I'm still finding
it quite difficult to set quick times, to be honest. I'm not
really settled with the set-up and I'm not feeling 100% comfortable
yet with the car. So we need to work overnight and see what
we can do, because I'm sure we can still go faster."
Colin Kolles, Managing Director: "This
is the first time we've had both our cars in front of the
Red Bulls, and that's the way we'd like to have it more often.
For me, the time gaps to the cars ahead are more important
than grid positions, and that's also getting closer all the
time. Bridgestone definitely has a good tyre for this race,
but our success today can be attributed to the whole package
working well, not just one component."
Dominic Harlow, Chief Race and Test Engineer: "This
was by far our best qualifying session of the year, and we're
obviously very happy with that. Full credit to the mechanics
and engineers who put their heads down and worked very hard
to improve the car since Canada; they turned out a very good
car for the sessions today. Both drivers did a fantastic job
to make full use of the performance potential and turn in
some quick laps. Race-wise, we know we've got a good tyre
and we're looking forward to completing this weekend with
our best race result of the season."
Johnny Herbert, Sporting Relations Manager: "It
was a very positive build-up, beginning yesterday and progressing
all the way through this morning's practice sessions. The
boys did a magnificent job in enabling us to get into a position
where we got both cars through to the second round. We didn't
embarrass ourselves in any way, and we didn't end up in last
position in the second session, either. >From that point
of view, it's extremely encouraging. Once again, a great deal
of credit goes to the mechanics, engineers and the drivers
for a job well done."
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