Austrian GP Friday Jordan notes

Satisfactory start for Jordan in Austria.

Friday's free practice sessions gave the Benson and Hedges Jordan team a satisfactory start to the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Both drivers were happy with the progress made during the day, and felt they could aim for positions in the top eight in qualifying. Ralf Schumacher spun off in section two half way through the afternoon session, and so lost about 30 minutes of running time.

DAMON HILL CHASSIS 03 Best time 1.14.535 Best position 9th "I have reason to believe we are in quite good shape for tomorrow and I hope to be able to perform well. It is very hot out there, but I have just come from two weeks in Marbella, so luckily I am relatively used to it! I enjoy this circuit, although it would be even better with a few more corners. The track is slippery but I prefer it that way as the car is enjoyable to drive when it slides."

RALF SCHUMACHER CHASSIS 04 Best time 1.15.117 Best position 14th "I am fairly satisfied with the progress we made today, considering we lost half of the afternoon session after I spun off in the second left hand corner of section two. The biggest issue today was tyres, and for the moment we seem to be a little behind the competition. But I think this will improve tomorrow when more rubber is put down on the circuit, as, if last year is anything to go by, the Goodyear tyres improve as the weekend goes on. I think I should be able to qualify in the top eight - that is what I am aiming for."