Villeneuve Forced to Change Race Engineer

British American Racing driver Jacques Villeneuve has admitted he is racing this weekend in Italy for the first time without his engineer Jock Clear.

Clear has been stuck in New York following the American terrorist tragedies, but he has been calling the circuit after every practice and Villeneuve says his stand in is working well.

"This is the first time since I came to Formula One in 1996 that I haven't been with my regular engineer, Jock Clear," said Villeneuve, who ended the day in 15th place.

"But Grant Tuff has also worked with me a lot since that time and he stepped in very quickly here. We have worked well together this weekend and it's very frustrating to be where we are when the team worked so well.

"I felt we did a good job today so I am disappointed with our qualifying position. The car felt good to drive and I put in a fast lap at the end but we're not quick enough on the straights."

Teammate Olivier Panis was even worse off as he finished the day in 17th place and said there is much to improve if the team is to have any hope of success in the race.

"I am disappointed like everyone on the team," said Panis. "I found the car difficult to drive and we aren't quick enough. We still have a lot of work to do to improve the car but we have to stay focussed because we need to understand the problems we have not just for the Italian Grand Prix but for the next two races and next season."