Mixed Fortunes for Jordan Drivers

Frenchman Jean Alesi was delighted after scoring his first point for the Jordan team, as teammate Jarno Trulli endured another disappointing Grand Prix in Belgium.

Alesi, in only his second race for Jordan, finished in sixth position at Spa following an intense battle with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and Williams' Ralf Schumacher. The Frenchman took advantage of both drivers' problems to make his way up to sixth before the Brazilian overtook him in the final laps of the race.

But the veteran driver was able to keep Schumacher at bay and scored a point which allowed the Silverstone-based team to equal their Honda-powered rivals of BAR in the Constructors' Championship.

"It's a very good result for me," said Alesi. "When I signed for Jordan, I understood the team needed points. I was under a lot of pressure because, even though I knew I could do a good job, I also knew it is very hard to score points in Formula One at the moment.

"So, having the reliability, I was able to do it in a race like this. It was a fantastic fight and I hope this is the first of many points for me and Jordan."

Alesi benefitted from Trulli's retirement to move up to sixth, the Italian driver being forced to retire while he was looking set to finish in fifth place. Trulli was downbeat after yet another retirement.

"I felt really upset when the car stopped," Trulli admitted. "I had fifth place, no problem, but it was not to be. It had been a good race for me: I was attacking, I had been very aggressive at one point.

"I was side-by side with two cars at the end of the straight and I overtook them. Very exciting. I was pulling away from everybody and then the engine just went. Very disappointing."