BAR Disappointed with Two Drivers in the Top Ten

Two British American Racing (BAR) Formula One drivers qualified in the top 10 on Saturday for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix but they were overshadowed by rivals Jordan who are also powered by Honda engines.

BAR's Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis qualified in eighth and ninth positions respectively, while Jordan's Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Jarno Trulli qualified higher, in fourth and seventh.

"It was not too bad although we expected to be a little better than we were," Panis said.

"We have the potential to go quicker but during my last lap I was blocked by Nick Heidfeld in the Sauber."

BAR technical director Malcolm Oastler said the qualifying session was disappointing "although it could have been worse".

"However it's the first race and if we are reliable then we could be in a position to score some points," Oastler said.

Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion with Williams, said he had not had much running time with the car.

"We only got the set-up right for the last two runs of the qualifying session," the Canadian said.

BAR finished fifth in last year's constructors' championship ahead of Jordan's sixth placing.