Australian GP: Jordan Saturday notes

Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman will start tomorrow's 2003 Australian Grand Prix from 13th and 17th places on the grid, their Jordan Fords completing the new format of one-lap final qualifying without drama.

Giancarlo Fisichella:

"My lap was ok but we can see that there is quite a lot of work to do on the car in order to achieve our goal of qualifying inside the top ten. But it's also impossible to know what fuel loads other teams are running, so we will have to wait and see. We have worked hard to find a balance and set-up for the race and I just have to hope that we can make best use of the strategy we have planned for tomorrow."

Ralf Firman:

"I got a good lap but the most important thing is I was able to get a feel for the car in preparation for tomorrow. It has a little bit of understeer but I think the balance is fine. We've done a lot of work so far this weekend and I feel pretty good about our preparations for the race. I am really looking forward to it and my objective will be to drive the best race I can and bring the car home."

Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Testing Engineering:

"We will have no idea until tomorrow where we really are compared to the other teams. We have done what we think is the best thing for the race. There have been a few surprises around the grid, for example you find McLaren 11th and 15th but then see an all-Ferrari front row. We'll just have to watch who pits first tomorrow and see what happens after that. We have done the best we can for our drivers, their way of driving and worked to find the best way to get a good result in the race. As such we have sacrificed today."

Martin Whitaker, Director of Motorsport, Ford of Europe

"The new-style qualifying session is a significant development for the sport and this weekend is also important for Ford as it marks the return of its famous Blue Oval to Formula One. Tomorrow will see the debut of the Ford Cosworth RS name in Formula One with Jordan, an important development coming in the same week as the company announced the creation of Ford Team RS at the Geneva Motor Show."

Giancarlo Fisichella 13th
1:29.344
Chassis number: EJ13-04

Ralph Firman 17th
1:31.242
Chassis number: EJ13-02

-jordan-