Jaguar plays down qualifying chances

The Ulsterman put his aerodynamically revised R2 on top of the pile in the second of the hour-long sessions, pipping Williams-BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya by 0.063s in an all-Michelin 'front row'. Irvine's team mate Pedro de la Rosa finished the day sixth overall.

The performance comes in the wake of a promising three-day test at Monza last week, where the Milton Keynes-based squad fine-tuned a new rear diffuser and suspension package. But Irvine is refusing to get carried away - sentiments echoed by Jaguar Racing CEO Rahal.

"We're not as quick as we look, but at the same time we're not far away either," said Irvine. "Our race performances over the past few weeks have been strong, but our qualifying performances have let us down. With this car at this circuit, I think we can make up for some of these unreflective qualifying performances. We won't be at the front tomorrow, but we should certainly be setting our sights on P8 (grid position eight) and above."

Rahal added: "That's a pleasing start to our weekend, but we mustn't read too much into our times today. While they are very pleasing, I'm actually more impressed with the ever-improving pace of the car.

"I'm not saying we'll be fighting for pole position tomorrow, but we should certainly be aiming to get both cars into the top 10."

Irvine, who is continuing to recovery from a niggling neck strain, enthused about the changes first introduced at Silverstone and stressed that Monza was key to getting the package working so well.

"That's the best handling car that I have ever driven around Hockenheim," he said. "The Michelin tyres work very well here and, combined with the recent aero changes to the car, the whole package has become a lot easier to drive.

"Monza allowed us to optimise the new package, and given that I had missed the previous two tests because of my neck injury, it was my first opportunity to really understand the changes that have been made.

"From here, our race performance should become easier, hopefully allowing us to score some much needed points."

Hockenheim's high-speed straights are punctuated by a tight and twisting stadium section, but de la Rosa believes that plays to the strengths of the R2.

"We seem to be more efficient with less downforce, because we always seem to find more time than other teams when it comes to taking wing off the car," noted the Spaniard. "I never read too much into Friday's times, but I have to say we are quicker than anybody thought we'd be."

Jaguar Racing's best qualifying performance of the season was sixth for Irvine at Monaco. That aside, neither driver has qualified higher than 12th at any circuit in Saturday's single timed hour.