Firman Raring to Get Back on Track

Briton Ralph Firman says he will have no problems putting his huge Hungarian Grand Prix crash behind him when he next drives for Jordan.

"I don't remember it so it shouldn't really be a problem blocking it out," said the rookie, returning to the Hungaroring as a spectator on Sunday after a night in hospital under observation.

"Over the next three days I might remember a bit more but the only thing I remember is coming out of the corner, the car obviously speeded up quite a lot. I remember bouncing off the gravel but I don't remember the impact."

Firman, whose car's rear wing flew off during Saturday's free practice, believed he had left the track at around 305 km/h before slamming into a tyre wall at around 250 in by far the biggest accident of his career. Team sources said the speed was more likely to have been around 200 km/h at impact.

'Very Disappointed'

Supported by a crutch for his heel injury, Firman was eager to get back in the car as soon as possible to press his claims to be retained by the team next year.

"I'm very disappointed not to be racing here this weekend," said the 28-year-old, replaced by Hungarian debutant Zsolt Baumgartner for Sunday's race, who is due to test at Monza in a week's time.

"I feel fine at the moment. So long as I don't have any delayed shock or anything I should be fine. I'm looking forward to getting back in the car again.

"I'd like to be driving straight away. Today's obviously not possible but the Monza test would be great to get back in the car. I need all the testing I can get, I haven't done much all year and it would be a shame to lose out on this."

Firman had complete confidence in the team although he was frustrated by the number of times he had been let down by mechanical failures this season.

"It's the sixth big mechanical failure which has caused an accident this year. One too many, I think," he said. "It's always been something different, and I think I've been a bit unlucky. The team are great, I've got no complaints and I'm really happy here."

Firman, who has a three-year contract with Jordan, recognised that financial considerations would be a factor in his future at a team short of sponsorship.

His teammate, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, announced on Saturday that he was joining Sauber next year.

"It's been a huge learning year for me and all those things I've learned this year, the new circuits, it would be silly for it to go to waste if I wasn't here next year to give the team continuity," said Firman.

"I've really got to concentrate on the next three races and make the most of them."