News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » McLaren unworried by slow start

McLaren unworried by slow start

By Julian Linden
March 05, 2004 17:15 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

McLaren saw no cause for concern despite their slow start to the new Formula One season on Friday.

Britain's David Coulthard and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen were eighth and tenth fastest in the second practice session for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

Also Read


Schumi puts rivals on red alert

Gearing Up Down Under

F1 2004: Complete coverage


Both were well over a second behind six times world champion Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello.

"With today's practice sessions not contributing to grid or qualifying positions, teams have understandably adopted different strategies for what is effectively a test in preparation for the real event," said McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

"As the result times are of little significance. We went through our programme and are looking forward to the rest of the weekend."

Raikkonen, who emerged as Schumacher's biggest rival after finishing runner-up last season, said he was unhappy at the set-up of his car.

"We focused on trying to find the right tyres for the weekend and went through our planned programme," Raikkonen said.

"I'm not happy with the set-up of the car at the moment but we will work on it overnight and hopefully improve for tomorrow."

Coulthard, winner of last year's Australian Grand Prix, also brushed off concerns about the team's performance.

Both McLaren drivers completed a total of just 22 laps each during the two one-hour practice sessions but Coulthard said they were just being cautious.

"Like the majority of the other teams, we ran a limited amount of laps as a result of the one-engine rule," Coulthard said.

"We will now concentrate on tomorrow which is when the action really knows."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Julian Linden
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25