Jordan's Japanese Qualifying Q2

Last one here
By Phil Giles
October 11 2003

Saturday's qualifying session saw what every Jordan Fan has prayed for this season: Rain. However it came too late for the team who ended the day with Firman again out qualifying Fisichella by a single grid position.

The weather turned towards the end of the session, making conditions very slippery. Ralph Schumacher spun and Jarno Trulli, pole sitter from yesterdays session aborted his timed lap.  Giancarlo and Ralph were 3rd and 4th out of the pits to qualify and missed the damp, however the car still shows a lack of downforce, the back end sliding all over the track.  Remarkably, Michael Schumacher starts from 14th position.  How will he cope with Giancarlo's traditional lightning fast start?  Will the Fisi fella give over to the Ferrari in front?

"That was possibly one of my best laps all year." Said Ralph.  "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."

"I'm a bit frustrated with how it's gone so far..." Said Giancarlo (without any surprise!)  "...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."

"I think the balance of the cars is reasonably good today and the performance just reflects the grip level that we've got." Said Gary Anderson. "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!"