Interview: Wilson Just Wants to Finish

Crossing the finish line will be the main thing on Justin Wilson's mind at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Formula One's tallest driver has not finished a race for Jaguar since his move from Minardi in July and he is hoping it will be third time lucky at Monza.

"Obviously if I see the chequered flag I'd be very happy," the 25-year-old British rookie told Reuters in an interview after qualifying 15th on Saturday.

"I want to get round and have a good race and enjoy it," he added as a young fan rushed up for an autograph.

Wilson said he was feeling pressure to deliver the goods after his move to the better funded, Ford-owned team.

"It is starting to bug me a little bit, it's frustrating," he said, "But changing teams is almost like starting again and...hopefully today is a step forward."

Rubbing salt in the wounds is teammate Mark Webber.

The Australian finished second behind Wilson in the 2001 F3000 championship but moved to Minardi a season ahead of him, has been racing for Jaguar all this year and is ninth in the Drivers' Championship.

Webber roared home sixth in Hungary last month while Wilson failed to finish - a repeat of his performance in Germany three weeks earlier. But the Sheffield-born driver is realistic.

"It's just experience...in some ways it's very similar to the start at Minardi, the first few races we had problems, we sort them out and start to come on strong after that," he said.

Wilson's debut at Minardi was delayed because his 1.92-metre frame could not fit into the car when he was asked to replace the underperforming Alex Yoong for two Grands Prix in 2002.

Finding Space

But they found space for him in 2003 after he raised nearly 1.2 million pounds ($1.9 million) in funding by turning himself into a public company - an F1 first.

He failed to cross the line in his first four starts for Minardi before managing a personal best 11th place at the Spanish Grand Prix in May. He then strung together three finishes before switching teams.

Wilson is stubborn and determined and knows he can rise to the challenge at Jaguar.

"There's still more in there and that's the frustrating bit," he told reporters. "I know the car's good and I know that I can do it but it's being patient and taking it one step at a time."

Monza, the last European Grand Prix, will be a good opportunity to show his colours before heading for unknown circuits at Indianapolis and Suzuka. But Wilson said new tracks were not necessarily a problem.

"Sometimes that doesn't make much difference. You can go to another circuit and just gel straight away."