Austrian GP: Jordan Friday qualifying notes

Giancarlo Fisichella set the 10th quickest lap time with his Jordan Ford EJ13 in Friday qualifying, although the Italian felt there was more time to gain from the car's capability at this circuit. Ralph Firman ran wide at the final corner of his flying lap, slipped off the track and hit the wall, however, he set a qualifying time despite his accident. Both drivers were positive about the car's balance and hope for good results at the A1 Ring.

Giancarlo Fisichella :

"That was not too bad, to be honest, as the top ten is our target. The car was quite good in qualifying but curiously it was completely different from this morning so because of that although I did a clean lap, I didn't push to the limit. I'm sure we could have been a bit better so I'm quite confident for tomorrow. I hope to be in the top ten again and score some points."

Ralph Firman:

"It's a shame. The car felt really good and I was pushing hard, but obviously too hard on the final corner. As I came through the corner I ran a little bit too wide and tried to keep my foot in to get a good lap time but I went on the grass and hit the wall. I'm disappointed for myself as I was on a good lap and I also feel sorry that the boys have got a fair bit of work to do repairing the car. It was pretty good this afternoon, a lot better than this morning, maybe because the temperatures dropped off. We have to try our best tomorrow - that's the important one."

Gary Anderson, Director of race and test engineering:

"I'm reasonably satisfied with the top ten. Ralph going off was not a good situation but he was doing a reasonable lap at the time. It looked like he had a bit too much understeer through the last corner, got a bit wide and kept his foot in it which is what you need to do when that happens. He did everything right but it just didn't recover the way it should have done, I think without the accident he would have done a 1.09.6 or 1.09.7."

"Giancarlo was looking good in testing and then during free practice we seemed to lose our way a bit. It was a bit difficult to know where we were, so adjusting the car was not easy. He did a competent job but there was probably a 1.08.8 or 1.08.9 in the car. Overall the day was okay."

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA
10th 1:09.281
CHASSIS NUMBER: EJ13-04

RALPH FIRMAN
19th 1:11.171
CHASSIS NUMBER: EJ13-03

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