Gene: I should have done better

"That lap was OK, but I have some complaints," said Gene. "The time itself was surprising because I made some small mistakes. I think I lost about three tenths.

"I thought I was dreaming this morning when I was awoken by a surprise phone call telling me that I was standing in for Ralf. I am fortunate that I tested on this track last week.

"I'm looking forward to racing again. It's been a while since my last F1 start in 2000 - almost three years. But I am not worried about handling the start - you never really forget the mentality of racing. Besides, I have had racing in the Dallara Nissan World Series this year so I am quite mentally prepared."

Gene's team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya praised his achievements of the 29-year-old from Sabadell: "Marc did an amazing job especially as he started first and the track improved a lot throughout the session."

Gerhard Berger, in his last weekend as BMW Motorsport director, was also impressed with Gene: "Every test driver hopes to get the chance to compete in a race, even if it's at very short notice. Marc made an excellent job of qualifying."

Gene's effort today was his best career qualifying by a long margin. His previous best grid slot was a 15th (Hockenheim 1999) in his Minardi days. A good run tomorrow should see Gene add to his career tally of one point, which he took on a strange day at the Nürburgring in 1999 - the same day that Johnny Herbert won for Stewart.

Gene will be carrying Spanish hopes tomorrow, since his countryman Fernando Alonso starts last after a traction control mishap in his single-shot lap.