Austrian GP Arrows race notes

Jos Verstappen, driving in his 80th Grand Prix, brought home the OrangeArrows team's first World Championship point of 2001 at the A1-Ring today. After yet another fantastic start, Jos ran as high as second position during the race, overtaking Jaguar's Eddie Irvine and McLaren's David Coulthard on his way up. A two-stop pit strategy paid off and Jos was able to compete against the top teams during the 71 lap race.

Verstappen's team-mate, Enrique Bernoldi, also got a good start and was up to 11th. On lap nine he overtook Irvine and BAR's Jacques Villeneuve and was doing a superb job until he was forced to retire on lap 18 with a hydraulic problem.

The team now leaves Austria in high spirits and moves to Valencia for a four day test, starting on Tuesday, in preparation for the twists and turns of Monte Carlo. Enrique will drive on all four days whilst Johnny Herbert will drive for the first two days and Jos for the last two.

Jos Verstappen:
"This point is very important for the team and for me as well. They all did a fantastic job. The strategy worked well for us as we could overtake at the beginning of the race and I think it was there that we earned the point. I took a lot of people into the first corner, a couple more on the straight, then two more after the safety car went in. I have to say that I really enjoyed this race, especially the beginning, as I love to race against the top guys. I was a little lonely in the middle of the race but I just concentrated on being as smooth as I could. The car is definitely developing so let's hope this is the first of many points!"

Enrique Bernoldi:
"That was showing all the signs of being a really good race for me. I had a good start and the car felt really good. It was pretty hard passing Villeneuve so I was pleased I pulled that one off. After that I was still going well, having a fantastic race, but I had a hydraulics problem and had to pull into the garage. It's a real shame but I'd like to say that I'm really pleased for Jos and all the team. Well done!"

Tom Walkinshaw:
"It's fantastic for OrangeArrows and Asiatech to get their first point of the season. It's just reward for all the hard work they've put into improving the car over the last few weeks. We just have to keep pushing between now and Monaco. Jos did a great job today, really made the most of the car. As they say, the boy did good!"

- Arrows