Happy Villeneuve Hoping for More Rain

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve was delighted with the performance of his British American Racing car in Friday's practice for the British Grand Prix.

The 1997 World Champion benefitted from the wet weather conditions at the Silverstone circuit to set the sixth fastest time of the day for the Brackley-based squad, who are still aiming to score their first point of the 2002 season after nine races.

Villeneuve was pleased with his day's work, and was hoping for a wet qualifying to put on a similar performance.

"We had a good first day today," said Villeneuve. "Two very good sessions and the car feels very driveable in the rain which is great. In the past, I've always had a car which has been difficult to drive in the wet but it seems that this car works well here.

"It's good and it means we can be aggressive. If the rain stays all weekend then it's looking good for us. If it's dry, then I'm not sure where we'll be. The problem with qualifying in the wet is you have to be out at the right time and because you only have 12 laps you never know when the track is going to be at its quickest so it's very difficult."

Olivier Panis endured very different fortunes with the second Honda-powered BAR, the Frenchman posting the 14th fastest time after being hit by traction control problems.

"Not a very good day at all today," said Panis. "Generally, the car was very difficult to drive and then I lost a lot of track time in this morning's session due to a traction-control related problem. That's the last thing you need in these track conditions."