GRAND PRIX JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
CIRCUIT SUZUKA
DATE SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER 1994
ALESSANDRO ZANARDI 13TH
MIKA SALO 10TH
Friday 4 November - First Practice & Qualifying
Alessandro Zanardi: 17th - 1:39.721
"This morning the car was difficult to drive, with the back end sliding
too much. That's why I spun in the first corner at the end of free
practice. Then this afternoon I had a car in front of me on each of
my quick laps. I'm really pleased with the work that we did, because
we identified the way to improve the car. It's now easier to drive,
and though it's still not quite the way I want it, we have a good
direction to pursue tomorrow."
Mika Salo: 25th - 1:41.805
"I was making a few little mistakes on every lap as today is the first
time that I have driven an F1 car and at the end of my run I was
getting used to the semi-automatic gearchange. There isn't enough
grip at the rear yet so the car is quite difficult to drive, but I
didn't spin. Physically I didn't have any problem so I was able to
acclimatise myself without too much trouble. Knowing the circuit
was a help too"
Peter Collins:
"There's a little more to come from the car, and we hope to find that
tomorrow. Mika did an exceptional job today, considering that this
is a very difficult circuit and that he has never driven an F1 car
before."
Saturday 5 November - Second Practice & Qualifying
Alessandro Zanardi: 17th - 1:39.721
"The car felt more stable, and if there had been less traffic I think
I could have done a time in the high 1m 38s. If it hadn't rained this
afternoon, I am confident we would have improved. Whether it rains
tomorrow or not, I'm confident I'll be able to overtake a lot of
people, because the engine is really good.
Mika Salo: 25th - 1:41.805
"It was very slippy out there! It's unfortunate that I lost so much
time yesterday and again this morning with electrical problems, because
that cost me a lot of laps in the car, but I am happy enough. I feel
comfortable with the way things are going."
Peter Collins:
"I'm very pleased with the progress that we made with the set-up in
free practice this morning, but that makes it more frustrating that
the weather changed this afternoon. But for that, I am confident
that we would have qualified both cars in significantly higher
positions on the grid."
Sunday 6 November - The Race
Alessandro Zanardi:
"The whole rear section of my car's diffusor was completely broken by the
end of the race. even the floor at the back. Right the way through I
was having a real problem handling it without any downforce. My other
problem is that right from the restart I lost both mirrors. At the
end I was driving looking to each side all the time. I could see the
blue flag and I expected Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher to come by
me at any moment. I wanted desperately not to be the one who might
accidentally determine the outcome of the World Championship."
Mika Salo:
"I had no grip at all at the back of the car, but it was really quick
in a straightline! This car is easy to spin in these conditions, so
I am pleased that I haven't spun it all weekend. I'm delighted to
finish my first Grand Prix with 10th place. It was very busy at the
start, but to be honest it was a bit boring towards the end."