Wilson Shrugs Off Pressure as Tough Run Continues

Justin Wilson on Saturday shrugged off the pressures of trying to perform, to safeguard his future, after qualifying in 16th place for Jaguar for Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

"Am I feeling it?" he said with a grin. "No, not anymore. I've gone past that."

The Briton, recruited by Jaguar from Minardi midway through this season, has struggled to produce the kind of impressive results that have elevated Mark Webber's reputation, but on Saturday he was only two places, and some four tenths of a second behind him.

"It feels better, but the car lacked grip and I know there is more to come," said Wilson. "As to the pressures about my future, as I have said, I am just ignoring all that. My attitude is to put them aside and just go out in the car and enjoy it."

Wilson said the team have done a wonderful job with him not only in preparing his car and supporting his performances, but also in backing him and keeping his morale good after three successive DNFs.

"The team have been absolutely great, right behind me and they have not given up at all in any way," he said. "Nor have I and we are working very hard for this race and for the final race in Japan."

Wilson said he will fly from Indianapolis to Suzuka on Monday immediately after the American race in order to prepare for the Japanese Grand Prix by attempting to find an opportunity to walk, stroll or drive around the famous figure-of-eight track.

"It's easier to go into races at the tracks you know, of course, but I know nothing about Suzuka other than what I have seen on the videos and the games. It helps, but I hope to get there earlier enough to have a chance to drive around it and get to know it."

He admitted also that he was puzzled by his and Jaguar teammate Mark Webber's sudden loss of performance after an encouraging warm-up, prior to Saturday's qualifying.

"We didn't change anything, not a thing, and I think everyone is a bit puzzled. But we are not the only ones. It is a very unpredictable Grand Prix, isn't it?"