Japanese GP: Jordan Saturday qualifying notes

Jordan Ford drivers Ralph Firman and Giancarlo Fisichella will line up alongside each other behind the Ferrari of Drivers' Championship leader Michael Schumacher on the grid for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix. The light rain that fell in the second half of the session did not affect Jordan's qualifying and a trouble-free morning of practice and warm-up allowed the team to get the maximum performance available from both cars.

Ralph Firman:

"That was possibly one of my best laps all year. This is the only circuit where I feel I am on equal terms with Giancarlo and everyone else because I know it well. We also know the car really well by the end of the season and we found a good balance today. I'm really happy with it and it's worked well although obviously we'd like to be quicker. Hopefully if it rains tomorrow it could be a good weekend for us. I like this circuit because it's challenging and you have to have confidence at every corner to be fast. It's great to be racing here again."

Giancarlo Fisichella:

"I'm a bit frustrated with how it's gone so far especially as it's my last weekend with Jordan. We are not quick enough for some reason I don't know why, but it isn't good. Anyway, I hear that tomorrow may be wet and I'm hoping it will be, as that would give us a better chance."

Gary Anderson, Director of race and test engineering:

"I think the balance of the cars is reasonably good today and the performance just reflects the grip level that we've got. I think we've done the right thing for the race and after today's conditions with rain coming mid afternoon, I hope it will do the same tomorrow and that we'll be able to pull something out of what unfolds. To be honest, we could not have done more than we did. Being directly behind Michael, at least we can expect a bit of TV coverage on the grid and at the start tomorrow!"

RALPH FIRMAN
15th 1:34.771
CHASSIS NUMBER EJ13-04

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA
16th 1:34.912
CHASSIS NUMBER: EJ13-05

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