Webber Hoping for Stronger Saturday

Australian Mark Webber was pleased with his performance in first qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where the Jaguar driver finished in a promising eighth position.

Webber, however, admitted he is hoping to get closer to the top runners in tomorrow's decisive session.

"That was a good lap and the best I could manage," said Webber, who has scored points in five of the last six races. "I locked up a little bit going into Vale that may have cost be a tenth but overall, I am pleased with that qualifying performance.

"It would have nice to have been a bit closer to the front-runners but tomorrow is the ultimate test â€" not today. Michael Schumacher is very quick and the tyre war between Michelin and Bridgestone will be very interesting this weekend at what is my second home Grand Prix after Australia."

Webber's teammate Antonio Pizzonia put on a solid effort to finish in 11th place despite making a mistake on his flying lap.

"That worked out pretty well considering the challenge we had this morning on finding a good set-up which we achieved for qualifying," Pizzonia said. "The car felt very good throughout the lap and the balance is now to my liking.

"The track was quite slippery this morning and improved somewhat for qualifying but it could be better."