Quick Irvine Revives Jaguar Spirits

Briton Eddie Irvine revived Jaguar's flagging spirits with ninth place on the grid for Sunday's French Grand Prix, the team's first top ten qualifying position of the year.

"There is no doubt that we have a better car," Irvine said. "I'd say we are in with an outside chance of a point tomorrow. I'm obviously pleased with 9th place and very much looking forward to tomorrow's race.

"I like this track and combined with our race package, I'd say we are in with an outside chance of a point tomorrow."

The team endured a torrid British Grand Prix with their revised R3B chassis, in what was the first real test for the new machine.

But after a three-day testing programme at the Monza circuit, Jaguar were able to make further progress as they worked on understanding the new chassis. Irvine claimed a big part of today's success was down to that test.

"Our three-day test in Monza last week was very helpful in understanding the new aero package better and I wish we had done more testing with it," he said. "Nonetheless, we have been reasonably quick here all weekend, but we must credit Michelin too for the tyre advantage they have brought here.

"This will inevitably flatter us a little, but there is no doubt that we have a better car."

Jaguar's best performance of the day, however, was somewhat overshadowed by the problems suffered by Pedro de la Rosa, who saw his caw braking down twice during qualifying. The Spaniard was 15th fastest.