Minardi makes it a memorable day

Changing conditions made a mockery of first qualifying for the French Grand Prix on Friday with Minardi’s Jos Verstappen lapping fastes...

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Changing conditions made a mockery of first qualifying for the French Grand Prix on Friday with Minardi’s Jos Verstappen lapping fastest in the slowest car in Formula One.

The Dutchman was more than seven seconds quicker than Ferrari’s championship leader Michael Schumacher in an extraordinary session ahead of Sunday’s race.

Minardi action threatens Silverstone chaos

MAGNY-COURS (France): Minardi could throw this month’s British Formula One Grand Prix into disarray with a move on Friday that threatened rivals with possible disqualification. Team owner Paul Stoddart said his drivers, British rookie Justin Wilson and Dutchman Jos Verstappen, would race at Silverstone on July 20 without so-called ’driver aids’ — traction control, radios and even water bottles. The Australian, whose cars are the slowest in Formula One, said at the French Grand Prix that his interpretation of existing rules was that driver aids were illegal from Silverstone and he had informed rival teams. International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley confirmed he had received a copy of the letter and that there was a potential threat. “What they seem to be saying in the letter is that they may then protest other teams,” said Mosley. “We have a rule that has been there for many years saying that all driver aids are prohibited,” he added. “If there were a protest it would be a matter for the stewards.” Asked whether a situation could arise where the race was run and stewards then upheld a Minardi protest against other teams running with driver aids, disqualifying them and declaring Minardi the winners, Mosley replied: “Theoretically, yes. But obviously the teams would have their side of the case to put. The stewards would hear the case and decide it.” (Reuters)

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With the title front runners starting first on full wet tyres in the rain, conditions improved progressively to enable the tail-enders to lap on dry tyres and set the fastest times by a massive margin.

Briton Justin Wilson, Verstappen’s partner at the cash-starved team, was listed as second quickest despite reports that the rookie’s car was underweight at the finish.

If Wilson is penalised, that could leave Minardi in the bizarre situation of one driver leading the field and the other bringing up the rear.

Australian owner Paul Stoddart was ecstatic anyway on a day that revived memories of compatriot Mark Webber’s fighting fifth place for the team on his debut in Melbourne last year.

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“Somebody said out there ’is this the best day in your Formula One life?’,” he declared. “I said ’No, but it is still the second best. If we saw a repeat of this tomorrow where we had a wet start and a dry finish, then who knows…we could do it again for Sunday.

“But nevertheless it’s good for the sport, it’s good that the little guys get a chance and it shows that we’re a true participant in the races as well as the Ferraris, McLarens and Williams’s,” he said.

“You have enough bad days in motor racing so we are just going to enjoy this one.”

To add to the unreal atmosphere, British rookie Ralph Firman was third fastest in a Jordan despite being woefully out of shape on his timed lap when he ran wide into the gravel and almost took off as he rode a kerb.

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In a boost for French fans, the country’s sole Grand Prix driver Olivier Panis was fifth quickest for Toyota.

Verstappen’s time of one minute 20.817 seconds compared to five times world champion Schumacher’s effort of 1:27.929 — which left the German in 12th place for Saturday’s decisive second session.

Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, second-placed in the overall championship standings, was 17th for McLaren ahead of Williams’s Ralf Schumacher, winner of the European Grand Prix last weekend.

Briton Jenson Button, in a BAR, was slowest but he had another excuse having kicked his heels during morning practice as the team fought to have cars impounded by a court order released in time for qualifying.

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In an extraordinary turnaround for the team, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve set the seventh best time.

BAR are being sued by a Monaco production company who say the constructor owes them a $3 million commission for negotiating sponsoring rights.

Former champion Villeneuve shrugged off the day’s events and was delighted for Minardi.

“Isn’t that great? Isn’t that what was wanted?” he said. “It’s fun.” Everybody knows why it happened and today’s qualifying doesn’t count in any way for the championship. (Reuters)