Brazilian GP: Jaguar Saturday notes

Weather: Hot / Dry Air temperature: 30-33 degrees
Track temperature: 40-43 degrees

Jaguar Racing had cause to be quietly satisfied with its drivers' qualifying performances for tomorrow's Brazilian Grand Prix as the team posted its best qualifying results so far this season. With the track temperature reaching 43 degrees during qualifying, the Michelin tyres worked very well and both Jaguar Racing drivers were able to post quicker laps as the qualifying session progressed. The Jaguar R3 that, until now, has proved difficult to set-up and balance, showed promise today and the team is now focused on taking this development forward in an effort to realise the R3's true potential. Pedro de la Rosa recorded a quickest lap time of 1:14:464 and will start tomorrow's race in 11th position. Eddie Irvine aborted two of his four timed laps and managed a best time of 1:14:537, placing him in 13th place on the starting grid.

Niki Lauda, Team Principal

"We have made a dramatic turn for the better and a lot of that is down to the team getting the best out of the package. The Michelin tyres have been good, yes, but for the first time this season, we have extracted a very good set-up from the Jaguar R3. The progress we are making is just reward for the meticulous work being undertaken and our decision to go with the Jaguar R3 has been proved absolutely correct. We have a lot of potential to extract from this package and now that we have a solid starting point, we can begin focusing in on the particular areas that need addressing. Had Pedro not been held-up by a Minardi on his last run, he would have started tomorrow's race from 10th place on the grid. Nonetheless, we start the race from a good position and given that we have the best reliability record of the season, we will go into tomorrow's race with the clear intention of fighting for championship points. The first corner at Interlagos is infamous for incidents and assuming we can get through any trouble that might exist there, the rest will be down to a good race strategy and of course, reliability."

Pedro de la Rosa

"I started the session expecting to qualify in the top fifteen and because of the productive work we've achieved over the course of the free practice and warm-up sessions, the car's handling characteristics have been transformed into something a lot more driveable. The rising track temperature also played into the hands of the Michelin tyre today and that undoubtedly helped. Nonetheless, it is clear that we are progressing and taking steps forward. I don't think we've got anywhere near the full potential of this car and our Valencia test next week will, I hope, generate more advances. The good thing is that both cars are in with a points scoring chance and we'll do everything in our power to consolidate our fourth place in the Constructors Championship."

Eddie Irvine

"We've made some pretty big changes to the R3 and it has paid dividends. It proves that the work we are undertaking is on the correct path and our aim now is to exploit the full potential of the package. We certainly have the upper hand over Bridgestone and our thanks must go to Michelin, but at least the R3 felt like a real racing car today. It is much better balanced and I could have squeezed into the low one minute fourteen second bracket. It's good to go into tomorrow's race safe in the knowledge that we have a package capable of challenging for points. The R3 may not be the fastest machine on the grid right now, but with an 85% finishing rate so far this season, we must hope for the big three to fall victim to the notoriously high attrition rate of this circuit and capitalise on being in the right place at the right time."

Weather: Hot / Dry Air temperature: 30-33 degrees
Track temperature: 40-43 degrees

Pedro de la Rosa Position: 11th
Best time: 1:14:464
Chassis: R3-02 T-car chassis: R3-01

Eddie Irvine Position: 13th
Best time: 1.14.537
Chassis: R3-03

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