Sauber team fails in Hockenheim

Kimi Raikkonen's race was cut short by a mechanical fault Keystone

Switzerland's Sauber motor racing team experienced a dismal afternoon at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, with both of its drivers failing to finish the race.

Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen managed to complete 13 circuits of the track before having to abandon with a mechanical fault. His teammate, Germany’s Nick Heidfeld, crashed out on the first lap after Pedro della Rosa smashed into the back of his car.

Germany’s Ralph Schumacher, driving for the Williams team, won Sunday’s race. Brazil’s Rubens Barrichello took second place in his Ferrari, less than a minute behind Schumacher junior. Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve came in third for British American Racing.

Over half of the Grand Prix’s 22 competitors failed to finish the race.

The result still leaves the Sauber-Petronas team in fourth place in the constructors’ championship. Heidfeld and Raikkonen lie eighth and ninth respectively in the drivers’ standings, which are led by Germany’s Michael Schumacher.

swissinfo with agencies