Frentzen says points will be tough

The German's team boss, four-time champion Alain Prost, heaped praise on his new recruit after a late run on slicks on a drying track put him ahead of all but the two Williams-BMWs and fellow countryman Michael Schumacher's Ferrari.

But Frentzen said it will still be a difficult task to claim points - especially if it is dry as forecast.

"I will be doing my best and hold the others up for a while, that's for sure," he said. "I won't let it go easily. I am sure we will have an exciting race, but I don't think we can keep up with the top teams.

"I have made so many changes here for this Grand Prix that we still don't have the optimum balance, but we took advantage of the unusual circumstances and now have to wait and see what the race brings."

The German was sixth in the warm-up, while team mate Luciano Burti gave a more accurate indication of their performance relative to the rest of the field in 19th.

Frentzen was ditched by Jordan last month, days before his home Grand Prix, but was signed up by Prost to replace the Jordan-bound Jean Alesi.

"It's a very good result," said Prost. "This grid position shows how much Heinz-Harald's experience, calm and commitment can bring to our team. We could have expected something maybe like nine or 10 on the grid, but not fourth."