Sunday March 12th, 2000

What should have been a triumphant return to full-time Formula One racing, ended in disappointment for Mika Salo at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Finnish driver produced a daring overtaking move to claim sixth place in Sunday's opening race of the season at Albert Park only to be told later that he had been disqualified because of a problem with the car.

Technicians who examined Salo's Sauber after the race discovered that the front wing on the car was extended 20mm too far.

The matter was referred to race stewards who decided to exclude the car from the results because the bodywork did not comply with the sport's strict regulations.

The Swiss team were given the chance to appeal but team boss Peter Sauber said it was unlikely that they would take the matter further.

"Naturally we are disappointed to be disqualified but we can take heart from the encouraging potential (of the new car)," he said.

The disqualification was particularly disappointing for Salo, a veteran driver who has struggled to cement a permanent place in Formula One.

Dumped by Arrows just before last year's Australian Grand Prix, the 33-year-old won himself a drive with Sauber after impressing the team as a fill-in at Ferrari last year.

He qualified 10th for Sunday's race but carefully threaded his way through the traffic to reach seventh spot with less than 10 laps to go.

Determined to finish in the top six to earn a championship point for his new team, Salo swept past Ricardo Zonta on the 50th lap then held him off to the chequered flag.

"I managed to pull a really good move on him," Salo said.

"With just a little bit better fortune I know we could have been third today but it's all academic because of our problem with the front wing."