After the elation of its performance at last weekend's French Grand Prix, it was disappointment today for Minardi at the German Grand Prix, when a loss of hydraulic pressure forced Mark Webber to retire from the race on lap 23 and Alex Yoong failed to qualify on Saturday.

A software problem slowed the charging Australian as he left the starting grid, but he soon caught the pack and started recording competitive lap times as he worked his way past a number of other competitors. He had fought his way up to 14th place on the lap before he stopped.

"It is a real shame for us because we planned on Friday to pick the hard tyre and to have a really hot race, because we knew that was coming," Webber commented. "We set the car up to look after the rear tyres as well as possible, and again the guys gave me a great little race car to compete with here today.

"We were keeping up with, and racing, a train of cars that included Toyota, Arrows, Jordan and Sauber. For the first time really this year, we had a problem which we've never seen before, although we now have a good understanding why we lost the hydraulic pressure.

"Anyway, problems like this occur in racing, and we now look forward to Budapest. It's also good the guys will have a break over the next couple of weeks, because they really deserve it."

Team principal Paul Stoddart added: "Today saw Mark running in a strong 14th position, yet again ahead of some formidable opposition, prior to a hydraulic seal failure ending his race prematurely and possibly spoiling his chances of finishing in the points.

"The engineers had undoubtedly devised a perfect race strategy for what could have been another fantastic result for Minardi, but the luck just wasn't with us today. Yet again, though, Mark clearly demonstrated what a world-class driver he is - P8 was definitely on the cards this afternoon."