Formula One news

Karthikeyan scores Jordan's best grid position

Narain Karthikeyan took advantage of the weather conditions in qualifying today and had a very good lap setting a time of 1.48.718. He will start tomorrow's race on 11th position, the best qualifying place for Jordan Grand Prix this season.

Karthikeyan commented about his qualifying run: "I am really happy to qualify 11th as this is Jordan's best qualifying position this year. My lap was clean and I genuinely beat some teams, which are normally ahead of us, in the same weather conditions. I was also second this morning on full wet conditions. It is a pity the track was not wetter to use the extreme wet tyres in qualifying, as they worked pretty well this morning and they would have been of a bigger advantage. The conditions were quite tricky because the track was more slippery and greasy than this morning as there was not as much water. I did not want to push too hard in order not to make any mistakes and I am satisfied with my time. Let's see now what the weather will bring for the race tomorrow."

Unfortunately, team mate Monteiro made a mistake in his out lap on a slippery track and was unable to restart. He will therefore start from the back of the grid. Both drivers were nevertheless satisfied with their choice of Bridgestone tyres, which worked particularly well in the rain and are confident that they have a reliable car for tomorrow's 53-lap Grand Prix.

Monteiro said: "It was tricky conditions and it was the first time we went on intermediate tyres. The grip was slippery but then, when I selected second gear in Degner corner, the rear wheels locked and I lost the car. It is a shame and it is very annoying, especially as after that, the rain started again and I could have qualified in a good position. Mistakes happen and I haven't made too many this year. I am really sorry for the team. Now we have to think about the race and I am confident we have a good strategy for tomorrow."

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