Jaguar Suffer Worst Qualifying of the Season

The American-owned Jaguar team suffered its most embarrassing performance of the season when Britons Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert wound up 17th and 19th on the grid for the United States Grand Prix.

Technical director Gary Anderson admitted the team had failed to "get on top of things all weekend" and had been "badly hit by a lack of grip in the infield section".

But he held out hope that the predicted wet weather for Sunday could camouflage their failings and secure an improved performance in the race.

"We've tried a number of set-up changes which have not given us any significant improvement and aerodynamically there is a tricky balance to be found to cater for the high speed versus low speed sections of the circuit.

"We've been grappling with handling difficulties since Friday morning. We just have to hope for a wet race and a lot of activity at the first corner. We were certainly hoping to put on a much better show than we have."

The race is the first in the U.S. since 1991 and Jaguar will be keen to put on a good show for their Ford owners.

Irvine admitted: "I didn't think it would be that bad. I knew it wasn't good, but I didn't think it would be as bad as that..."

Herbert, who is to be replaced in the team next season by Brazilian Luciano Burti, said: "It was our worst showing by the team all year long. We are 17th or 18th or wherever we are -- it was very poor. I wish I knew the problem. If I did, of course, I would fix it.

"We have to get a better car and a better engine. Its both things. The car is so difficult to handle correctly..."