Jordan struggle at home

"It was a tough qualifying session for the team," said 14th -placed Takuma Sato, out-qualifying his experienced team-mate for the second race in succession. "I had a problem with the nose on my second run and the team is investigating the situation.

"My first run wasn't bad but then the car had a lot of nervousness in high speed corners. The track temperatures were rising all the time and the tyres were graining, so I lost grip and couldn't improve my time. I did a 100% job, but another tenth of a second could have put me a couple of places higher."

Team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella endured a trying session, moving into the spare car after an engine problem early in the session.

"This was a terrible day for me," he lamented. "During my first qualifying run, the engine went and I was very disappointed. I continued the session in the T-car, but it did not give quite the same feeling."

The pair were left hoping for rain on race day that could see them make their way into the top six.

"I hope there will be no more problems tomorrow," said Fisichella, "and that weather conditions will be wet."