Irvine optimistic for Hockenheim

Eddie Irvine is relishing the challenge of proving the competitiveness of the revised Jaguar at the new-look Hockenheim circuit in this weekend's German Grand Prix

Jul 23, 2002, 1:09 PM

The improved R3 aero package gave the Jaguar a new lease of life at the French GP last weekend, according to the Ulsterman. He qualified a season-best ninth, but retired from the race with a rear wing failure.

"At Magny-Cours I was more comfortable with the R3 then ever before", he said. "The car is feeling better balanced and there is less understeer.

"Hockenheim is a circuit I enjoy racing at because I won here in 1999 [with Ferrari]. I am looking forward to racing this weekend.

"They have changed the circuit in time for this year's race and the new track should be a challenge to drive. It used to be a very fast race and I hope that some of that remains."

Team boss Niki Lauda said: "High temperatures would be good for the race, although the rain here can come from no where so our tyre strategy will play an important part in the weekend.

"The team has gone straight from the French Grand Prix and will be using the lessons learned last weekend and applying them to Hockenheim."