Stoddart: Wilson Performance 'Absolutely Fantastic'

Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart hailed Justin Wilson today after his former driver made a lasting impression on his debut for Jaguar in Friday qualifying for the German Grand Prix.

Stoddart allowed Wilson to join Jaguar as a replacement for the under-performing Antonio Pizzonia and the Englishman demonstrated his ability in qualifying by posting the seventh quickest time at Hockenheim.

"That was absolutely fantastic and it just goes to show what he can do," Stoddart said. "We certainly can pick them here at Minardi. He has justified all the faith put in him by his management, his father and by us. And now Jaguar, too. He has certainly delivered the goods. It may be early days, but just give him a couple of races and see how he goes then.

"I am not surprised at all. Not by his speed or his performance, but I am surprised how quickly it has come about - on the first day in a new team. It's just fantastic for him. He has got such amazing car control and he and Mark are going to be a great double act.

"I've seen him a lot in qualifying and I remember him at Monaco when he was coming fast down the hill and into the complex and the car was being really difficult. A lot of good drivers would have lost it there, but he has such a touch that he got it back in shape and delivered his lap. He is going to be something really special."

The performance left Wilson as the best of the four British drivers on the grid with David Coulthard 11th, Jenson Button a place further back and Ralph Firman 16th. Coulthard also praised Wilson: "He is a good driver. We knew that and he has proved it without much doubt.

"He was quicker than Mark (Webber) in F3000 so that shows how quick he is and now we know what to expect. Mark was made to look good by his previous team-mate so now we will see."