10/10/2004
NEWS STORY
Although it was a day later than originally planned, qualifying for today's Japanese Grand Prix went ahead without delay this morning at 09.00hrs. Weather conditions remained dry for both sessions with Jaguar Racing drivers Mark Webber and Christian Klien delivering error-free laps on both occasions. Mark provided the team with a morale boosting third place that will see him start the race this afternoon from the second row. Christian, having only completed nine fast laps in the rain on Friday secured 14th position for his first race at the Suzuka circuit. The cars will remain in parc ferme between now and the race as the team prepare for the penultimate race of the 2004 season.
Mark Webber: It's been a good start to the day for us here in Suzuka. We would have liked to have had more time to prepare the cars for today but as it has turned out I am really pleased to be in 3rd position for the start of the race. My first qualifying session made it possible for me to go out much later in the second session, which has helped us. The boys have done a great job preparing the car given the little amount of track time we have had and our third position is a good morale booster. I am really looking forward to the race and although it is a long race I will be doing everything I can to finish in a points scoring position.
Christian Klien: Before today's qualifying I had only managed to complete nine fast laps and those were in extreme wet conditions. I knew the guys were going to prepare the car as best they could so it was up to me to give it my best shot in qualifying. The track was drying up this morning and this has made conditions easier to drive in. My first qualifying was ok but I am pleased with my second session when I finished fourteenth. The circuit is not easy to drive and I think that this afternoon is going to be challenging.
Dr Mark Gillan - Head of Vehicle Performance: Despite a lack of preparation time on track the team has done an excellent job today in delivering two strong cars and qualifying in good points contending positions. Mark drove two very clean qualifying laps which saw him secure a well-deserved third place on the grid and Christian who has only ever completed twelve laps in total here finished fourteenth. All in all, I am very pleased with our performance so far and we are now focusing on the race with the aim of delivering some more Championship points.