Webber Surprised by Qualifying Pace

Jaguar driver Mark Webber admitted he was surprised by his own pace in today's qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, the sixth round of the 2003 season.

Australian Webber, who renewed his contract with Jaguar for another two years last week, was an impressive third quickest but still 0.604 slower than World Champion Michael Schumacher, who set the fastest time of the session with the Ferrari F2003-GA.

"The balance, Michelin tyres and Cosworth CR5 engine worked in complete harmony to produce a higher qualifying position than any of us expected," said Webber. "I was aiming for a top eight slot but P3 is simply brilliant reward for all the hard work going on in this team.

"To be the highest placed Michelin runner is very encouraging indeed as we head closer to race day and we'll do our homework in preparation for an optimum strategy. As we showed in Barcelona two weeks ago, a reliable Jaguar crossing the finishing line has the pace to score points and that's what we need more of this weekend. The early signals are good."

The Australian, who scored Jaguar's first points of the season in Barcelona two weeks ago, outqualified his Brazilian teammate Antonio Pizzonia, who wound up a strong ninth fastest in the second R4.

"I am pleased with my position but I felt I could have done better had it not been for a brake issue which has been affecting me all morning," said Pizzonia. "My familiarity and comfort is growing all the time with this car and I have more to give as we go into qualifying tomorrow.

"The Michelin tyres seem quite competitive and assuming we can carry the reliability into Sunday, there is nothing to stop us from making a serious points challenge this weekend."