Italian Grand Prix
First Qualifying, 8 September 1995

MONTERMINI 20TH AS LAVAGGI RECOVERS FROM GEARBOX PROBLEMS

Andrea Montermini and Giovanni Lavaggi have provisionally qualified 20th and 23rd for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, both drivers being quite optimistic about the performance of their cars despite the problems which delayed both of them in untimed practice.

A brake problem appeared on Andrea's car in first practice, and with the track still being very damp he opted not to go out on the track for the first part of then session. Giovanni was unable to complete any laps, however, his car's brand new gearbox experiencing some teething problems, forcing the mechanics to completely strip and rebuild it.

Both drivers were worried that this morning's lack of track time would badly affect their qualifying, but Andrea was able to lap in the low 1m32s bracket, ahead of both Fortis and his team mate. Giovanni was using qualifying to find a good set-up, and he was quite pleased to set a time also in the 1m32s bracket, only marginally slower than Diniz and Moreno.

ANDREA MONTERMINI (I) : 20th - 1m32.121s

"I had too much oversteer which later in the session turned to understeer and then back again! We found quite a good balance for my second run, and although it was not my best lap I am certain that we can break into the 1m31s without too much problem. After this morning I am quite happy to be 20th now, but I think we have the chance to be even quicker tomorrow."

GIOVANNI LAVAGGI (I) : 23rd - 1m32.935s

"Considering the fact that I did no laps at all in practice I am reasonably happy to be in the same second as the three cars in front of me. The car is still not well balanced because I have understeer and it is jumping around under braking for the corners, but at least we now have a base to work from and I hope tomorrow will see a big improvement."