Jones praises countryman Webber

Jones, who won the title for Williams in 1980, believes that Webber and Jaguar can build on their strong performance in Brazil. The Australian set the fastest time in Friday qualifying, before claiming third position on the grid on Saturday, the team's best-ever starting position.

"To be honest, Mark's exceeding my expectations," Jones told Brisbane's Sunday Mail. "He's just being sensible and consistent. He's doing exactly what's expected of him and asked of him.

"Last year he was in an uncompetitive car and I said then he had to show his consistency and reliability and it might get him the chance to get into a better car. And he's done that. The other thing is when it's wet, that's a great equaliser and he has to try to take advantage of that, and he's done exactly that."

Jones believes that Jaguar's off-season management restructure will ensure the team remains competitive this season. "They've got a whole new management team in place, their new wind tunnel, and they're approaching things in a better way," said Jones. "I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Mark consistently finish in the top 10 for the remainder of the season and maybe even in the top six."