2006 CHINESE GRAND PRIX – FREE PRACTICE & QUALIFYING
TAKUMA SATO - Car No: 22 (chassis SA06-03)
FP3 Position 16 No: of Laps 12 Best Lap Time 1:43.722
QUALIFYING Grid Position 21 No: of Laps 6 Best Lap Time 1:50.326
SAKON YAMAMOTO - Car No: 23 (chassis SA06-04)
FP3 Position 20 No: of Laps 10 Best Lap Time 1:46.850
QUALIFYING Grid Position 22 No: of Laps 7 Best Lap Time 1:55.560
T-Car SA06-02
Weather Warm, humid (83-90%) and cloudy Air Temperature 17-25°C
Track Temperature 22-24°C
The weather played an integral role in today’s running
at the Shanghai International Circuit. SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM
drivers Takuma Sato and Sakon Yamamoto experienced difficult
track conditions as the low cloud and high humidity added
to an already heavy atmosphere following overnight rain. All
teams made the change from intermediate to dry tyres half
way through the morning’s Free Practice session as the
track started to dry out. Takuma set the 16th fastest time
of the morning, a 1:43.722, just three seconds off the timesheet
leader. The weather did not lift for Qualifying in the afternoon
as the rain came down making for hazardous driving conditions.
Takuma Sato
“It was a difficult day for everyone in tricky conditions.
During this morning’s practice session I tested wet
and dry tyres, but we were not comfortable with the evaluation
of the wet’s. It was important that we completed the
test though as in the end we had to qualify in the rain. At
the end of session we also tested the dry tyre options and
completed a few timed laps, which was good because I missed
most of the running yesterday. Qualifying was like a lottery,
with changing weather and track conditions which made it difficult
to pick the right running time, and also a red flag situation.
I am taking an engine change penalty on the grid anyway, but,
wet or dry, I believe that we are ready for the race tomorrow.”
Sakon Yamamoto
“I'm really disappointed with my Qualifying result
because I had confidence going into the rainy session from
FP3 this morning. During Qualifying we changed our strategy
and ran a new tyre evaluation. But on my fastest lap there
was a red flag, so I had to come back to the garage. When
I went out again there were only three minutes left and with
so much water on the track there was no chance to improve
on my time. Obviously the lap times are down due to the weather
conditions, but my lap time today was not the best that I
could have set. Whether the conditions are wet or dry tomorrow,
I will just try to do my best.”
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal
"This afternoon’s Qualifying was driven in very
difficult conditions for everybody. It was hard for us to
decide on the correct tyre choice for the session and then,
just before the drivers went out for their attacking laps,
we had a red flag situation. This was extremely bad timing
for us and we did not qualify well, but hopefully we shall
have dry conditions for the race tomorrow.”
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