AUGUST 26, 2000
Diniz unhappy with Sauber after Bernoldi contest
PEDRO DINIZ has criticized his Sauber team over the organization of a recent test session at Mugello that pitted him against test-driver Enrique Bernoldi.
Brazilian Diniz, and his management team, felt the test had been organized effectively as a shoot-out between the two for a seat in the team next season.
Diniz ended up a second quicker then Bernoldi at Mugello as the latter also spun out, but he is not happy.
"A driver with six years experience in Formula One and in his second season with a team shouldn't be put in that sort of situation," said Diniz. "If they don't know how quick I can go now, when will they know?"
Danielle Morelli, the man who looks after Diniz's career, wrote a letter to team boss Peter Sauber stating "such kind of behavior is not up to the professional standards one expects from a Formula One team.
In Spa this weekend, Morelli added: "What they effectively did was to put an end to Bernoldi's career, because no-one will now want to take the risk of hiring him. That's bad, because he's very talented, but still a bit immature for Formula One."
Sauber are yet to confirm their driver line-up for next season, but Diniz is expected to face competition from Benetton's Alexander Wurz and British American Racing's Ricardo Zonta for a drive next season.