Jordan Praises 'Outstanding' Fisichella

Team boss Eddie Jordan hailed Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella on Saturday after he claimed sixth place on the grid for the German Grand Prix just seven days after a serious crash in France.

Fisichella was ruled out of the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours last weekend after crashing into the tyre barriers during practice and had to pass a fitness test to take part at Hockenheim this weekend.

But the Italian equalled his best qualifying performance of the season as he matched his sixth place of Canada and team boss Jordan praised Fisichella's performance.

"After what happened to him (in France) and to come back, he is such a resilient little driver and so underestimated and I think he is outstanding," Jordan said. "We haven't really given him enough this year to show that, but today was different and it is a nice experience. It is so good.

"I didn't think it was possible in this particular year, maybe in years gone by maybe. But we are making some progress, this new engine they brought here is definitely an improvement. It is certainly more driveable and it has more power and we are matching that with the chassis, so fingers crossed the latter part of the season is going to be a good one."

And Jordan admitted that the battle between two of his former drivers, Michael and Ralf Schumacher, for pole position was one of the most intriguing battles of the season. He said that watching the two Germans go head-to-head at their home circuit was a joy to watch and insisted that five-time World Champion Michael is the reason for the popularity of Formula One in the country.

"It was so exciting," Jordan said after Ferrari's Michael grabbed pole. "I couldn't believe Ralf pulled that one out, he was so determined to beat his brother after becoming champion again, but then the old master comes along and shows there is only one real God here.

"I did notice that there wasn't the same euphoria when Ralf got pole, but when Michael recaptured it again the place erupted. It is great for Grand Prix racing but for Germany racing as well.

"Ten years ago, until Michael arrived on the scene, Grand Prix racing in Germany was just a forgotten thing. But now it is the biggest sport in the world as far as they are concerned."