Jaguar success soon, but not yet, says Rahal

Rahal has admitted he does not expect his team's lacklustre season to end at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, unless the new super-soft Michelin tyres come into their own.

However, there were no early signs they would as Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa failed to make much of an impression after Friday's first practice session at the A1-Ring. The Jaguar duo finished in 12th and 14th place respectively.

"Right now, I don't think this is going to be a track that is going to suit us," said Rahal, whose team has yet to score a point after five races. "We are still going to be right where we have been because our big aerodynamic changes will not come in until probably the next race. Having said that, maybe the tyres will overcome the disadvantage we have.

"We will do the best we can, but I see us performing very much the way as we did in Barcelona. Aerodynamically, we are not very efficient and this is a track which needs aerodynamics so we are probably at a disadvantage."

But Rahal says Jaguar is more than happy with the quality of tyres Michelin are producing and he believes the French company will continue to step up the tyre war.

"No matter how you look at it, for us or for any of the Michelin runners, they are making good progress," continued Rahal. "Frankly, it is very exciting, especially if you look at the race in Barcelona. The Bridgestone guys were quick at the start and after fuel stops, but after about six laps, the Michelins started to outperform the Bridgestones.

"We need to make our car better, but as they make better and better tyres it is going to work to our advantage too."