Sato Optimistic Ahead of Qualifying

Japanese driver Takuma Sato in confident of a good showing in tomorrow's qualifying session for the German Grand Prix at the revised Hockenheim circuit.

The Jordan driver is hoping to benefit from the fact that, for the first in his rookie season, he started the weekend in the same conditions as his rivals, who are also facing a completely revised track after the German circuit was shortened by more than two kilometers.

Sato set the 14th quickest time on Friday's practice with his Honda-powered Jordan, but said he was optimistic ahead of qualifying.

"This is the first time I have started a Grand Prix weekend with no disadvantage to everyone else, in terms of knowing the track," said Sato. "It is new for us all which makes it quite fair. We were quite competitive this morning, even on the greasy slippery surface.

"But as the circuit itself got more grip, somehow we dropped a tiny bit. It's difficult to interpret the times because it's a new circuit and you don't know whether teams are running with more or less fuel than us. I am fairly optimistic for tomorrow because the car's handling is much better and I feel I can push hard."

Italian teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, who got back to action after his heavy accident during practice in France, was 16th fastest.