European GP: Jordan Saturday qualifying notes

In the last two Free Practice sessions, Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro continued fine-tuning their cars for this afternoon's new format single qualifying session and tomorrow's race. The sessions went well in general apart from a small spin for each driver.

The Jordan Grand Prix team worked hard overnight and this morning to improve the EJ15's balance. In Qualifying, Monteiro and Karthikeyan put in solid runs and, as a result, line up 17t h and 19t h respectively on the grid for tomorrow's seventh round of the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Narain Karthikeyan:

"I was the third driver to go in qualifying this afternoon so the circuit was still very dusty. Moreover, the track temperature was very high, I think it was close to 50°C, therefore my car was quite difficult to drive. I have also made a small mistake, which cost me some time. Now we will focus on improving the car for my first race in Nürburgring tomorrow."

Tiago Monteiro:

"I am very happy with my qualifying lap, which was very clean with no mistake. I felt confident in the car so I was able to push really hard. We have made some changes with my engineers after the two sessions this morning and it was very helpful. I am now looking forward to driving tomorrow and I hope we will be able to finish the race and maybe be in the points."

Trevor Carlin, Sporting director:

"It was a mixed qualifying for us today. Tiago Monteiro did a superb job and qualified the car in 17t h position. His lap was very clean and probably his best in qualifying this season so far. Narain's lap was a bit scrappy. He had to go out very early which may have hampered him a little bit. However I am sure he will progress through the race."

Tiago Monteiro
Chassis: EJ15/03
1:35.047, 17th

Narain Karthikeyan
Chassis: EJ15/02
1:36.192, 19th

-jordan-