Formula 1

Hungarian GP Jaguar preview

Jaguar Racing seeks a much-needed points boost at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite the team's ever-improving pace over the course of the season, it has yet to take full advantage of the points that have so far eluded them since the ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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Jaguar Racing seeks a much-needed points boost at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite the team's ever-improving pace over the course of the season, it has yet to take full advantage of the points that have so far eluded them since the Canadian Grand Prix when Pedro de la Rosa finished in sixth place. The German Grand Prix was again demonstrative of the misfortune that has come into play so many times this season. Pedro de la Rosa retired on lap one after a collision with Sauber's Nick Heidfeld in a race that saw twelve retirements. Eddie Irvine looked on course for a point's finish until his efforts were prematurely halted by a misfire problem. The high downforce Hungaroring shares a lot in common with Monaco where Eddie Irvine scored the first ever podium finish for Jaguar Racing.

Bobby Rahal -- Chief Executive Officer and Team Principal
"Bad luck aside, we should be well-placed for this race. It was very disappointing indeed not to have scored points at Hockenheim and to make matters worse, both the Benetton cars finished in the top six thereby taking over us in the Championship standings . Of course it's difficult to accept but you make your own luck in motor racing and we paid the price for not taking full advantage at Hockenheim. Nonetheless, we shall arrive in Budapest with a clear understanding of where we went wrong in Hockenheim and how best to capitalise on the Hungaroring's characteristics. With no testing over the past three weeks, the much needed restbite has been very well received by everybody at Jaguar Racing but it's now time to get down to business again. Both drivers have al so earned a well-deserved break from the relentless racing and test schedule and I know Eddie and Pedro are very fired-up about the weekend ahead."

Eddie Irvine
"I've enjoyed the break and it's easy to relax knowing that no one else is testing. The only concession I've made to work is to keep up my fitness training, but when you're doing it in the sun, that's no hardship. Hungary is like Monaco without the barrier s, tight and twisty with no overtaking. The only difference is there are some areas where you can pressure the other drivers into making mistakes, giving you a chance to squeeze past. That means Saturday's qualifying is the most important hour of the weekend. Securing a good grid position has not been our strong point this season and I am looking to improve that in this race. Back in 1999, I qualified on the front row in Budapest and went on to finish third, so maybe that's a good omen. It is very frustrating to be stuck in the middle of the pack here as there's no way of getting past. Even though you can come up with a clever strategy you have to bear in mind with a light fuel load you can still find it difficult getting past other cars. Another problem wit h the track is that it is always very dirty and that means when we get there we lose some set up time on Friday, cleaning the sand off the racing line. It's important not to panic on set-up and you have to let the track come to you. Given the heat we can expect here in Budapest and the fact there's no real straight where you can take a breather it's one of the more tiring races from a physical point of view."

@!Pedro de la Rosa
"The short break has done everybody some good. I feel re-charged and very upbeat about this race. I've split my time over the past couple weeks doing various things from visiting my family in Barcelona to spending time with my girlfriend in Ibiza and no, we're not into clubbing! Instead, we spent time just relaxing on the boat and making the most of the peace and quiet. In between all of that, I have been working out with my fitness instructor, especially important with this race where temperatures are usually very high. This circuit should suit us quite well and I'm looking forward to getting out there. Given how well the Jaguar R2 has felt recently, I'm all the more determined to stay out of trouble and get the car across the finish line in the hope of race points."

-Jaguar

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