French GP Saturday Prost notes

OLIVIER PANIS -- 3rd (1:40.400)

"What a great result for everyone! I am very happy for the whole team, and for myself, to have clocked the third best time of the session and to start from the second row of the grid. It is perfect for this to happen here at our home race as it is true that we have a lot of pressure on us. We are a French team, with a French engine and a French driver. It is truly wonderful. It is some repayment too for all the work done by the team since the start of the season and this is already evident in the good spirit among the troops."

"But we must not forget that tomorrow is another day, and I hope that it does not rain as hard during the race because it is so difficult to stay on the track in these conditions. The engine is more driveable in these conditions and my car behaves very well: I like driving in this weather..."

JARNO TRULLI -- 8th (1:42.096)

"Bravo to all the team for a great result today. The engineers had to choose the right moment to go out and Olivier profited from the situation and took his risks at the right time. It was well done. When my engineer decided to go out, I had hoped to wait a few more minutes, but I made a mistake and it was this which cost me my chance of a better time. I went out again at the end of the session, but I didn't have a chance as there was so much more water on the circuit by then. The race could be very difficult if the conditions are as bad as they were today, becuase the visibility is reduced so much in the rain."

ALAIN PROST

"It is a very good thing that Olivier starts from the second row tomorrow and we are very happy with this outcome today particularly as it is our home French Grand Prix. We are delighted in the team, but also for all the public and for all our supporters. Olivier and Jarno have worked very well even if our grid positions have come as a result of the wet conditions. We have not had any technical problems since the start of the weekend and we are going to make the most of that situation in tomorrow's race. Bravo to everyone!"