French GP Arrows qualifying notes

The result for OrangeArrows at Magny Cours today was as the team had expected. The Circuit de Nevers was always going to be a tough track for the A22s of Jos Verstappen and Enrique Bernoldi who qualified in 18th and 20th places respectively.

The qualifying session took place under sunny skies in very hot conditions. After completing their first two runs early on in the qualifying hour, Verstappen and Bernoldi waited until the end of the session to complete their runs in the hope that changing track conditions would produce a better lap time.

Jos Verstappen
Position: 18th
Best Time: 1:15.707
Chassis No.: A22-06
T-Car Chassis: A22-01

"It was very hard for us today but we always knew it was going to be as our car doesn't suit this track. It really was the maximum we could do. The car is always more competitive in race trim though so all we can do is look forward to tomorrow's race and give it our best shot. It's going to be a very hard race, especially if it is as hot as today, but we can cope with that. As always I hope for a good start and then to stay out of trouble during the race and see what develops."

Enrique Bernoldi
Position: 20th
Best Time: 1:15.828
Chassis No.: A22-03

"Well that was a tough one. I think we got the set-up right today and didn't make any major changes during the session. The balance was good but, even though I improved throughout the session, we just couldn't get any more speed out of the car."

Mike Coughlan, Technical Director, OrangeArrows

"We're just going to have to keep working hard to try to make progress. We didn't expect to get our best position of the year here but had hoped to be higher up than 18th and 20th. Both drivers did a good job today and got the best out of the cars so now we need to find them the speed they need to improve their qualifying performances."

Weather: Hot and sunny. Maximum ambient temperature 31°C.

-Arrows