Give Pizzonia time, says Sir Frank

Juan Pablo Montoya, who rates Pizzonia highly, said that he appears to be over-driving at times, while Sir Frank Williams admitted: "I'm a bit confused. He did a very good job for us."

While Mark Webber again qualified the first Jaguar a fine fifth at Imola, Pizzonia lines up for the San Marino Grand Prix a full second slower and 10 slots further back.

BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger admitted: "I'm confused too. I don't understand because he did quite a good job for us and in testing he wasn't too much off our two drivers. Suddenly he's missing more than a second and it's hard to understand but sometimes you don't know what the situation is."

Williams added: "It doesn't say to me that Mark Webber is a second to a second and a half quicker in black and white. I'm sure he isn't. I'm sure Antonio is psyched up by the difference and perhaps isn't controlling his mind to get his car better. He's making the odd mistake - it's called youth and inexperience."