Arrows struggles in Hungarian GP

The team's Spanish star Pedro de la Rosa suffered the worst fortune; de la Rosa had qualified 15th, despite being alone in using the harder tyre compound. This would have stood him in good stead for the race, where most team's concerns centred on tyre degradation in the hot temperatures.

However, it was not to be, as he collided with Jacques Villeneuve on the first lap, and was left in last place after pitting for repairs.

"I made a good start and the best thing was that it was physically good training for me," said the Spaniard. "The race was bad because on the first lap I was hit in the rear by Villeneuve which blew my rear tyre and damaged the rear suspension. I don't know exactly what was wrong but the car was difficult to drive. At least we managed to keep going until the end but there was no real hope for me to improve my position considering these problems".

Jos Verstappen, who went on to finish 13th after starting 20th, agreed with his team-mate. "I think it is good for the team that we made it home with two cars," he said, "but it was a very hard race for us because our car isn't the best one for this circuit but we knew that before we got here. As Pedro said, it was good training and I'm happy that I finished. Now I'm looking forward to the next race".

Team boss Tom Walkinshaw insisted on looking at the bright side, and asserted that the team had made a step forward in getting their cars to the end. Nevertheless, after de la Rosa's recent running with the front runners of the GP grid, the Hungarian GP will come as little other than galling. "We managed to get two cars home under difficult circumstances which is a positive step," said Walkinshaw. Jos pulled up his positions well and Pedro was hindered by some damage to the rear of his car, but it was a good work out for us at a race we knew would be difficult. The team and drivers are working really hard which shows but we can only look forward now to the next race".