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Takuma Sato
Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying Report

Qualifying for the Belgian GP is always one of the highpoints of the season, as tackling the seven kilometre monster Spa track at full speed is a thrilling spectacle. Sadly, it was not too thrilling for the DHL Jordan Honda team which resulted in Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato taking 14th and 16th positions. Fisichella lost control of his EJ12 when the rear brakes locked and the car slid off the track at turn 7 during his second flying lap.  He set his quickest time in the T-car on his final run. Both drivers struggled somewhat with balance and grip levels, however the team achieved all that was possible in the available time.

“I am very disappointed, said Giancarlo Fisichella.  It was a difficult qualifying as we were not competitive today and our tyres offered no advantage.  I may have been able to find another half a second but unfortunately I lost my race car during braking on the second outing.  When you jump in the T-car it’s always difficult as you aren’t as confident, but I did quite a good lap on my last run.  14th is not very good, but considering the qualifying session I had, it’s okay.  I’m usually more confident in the race as that is where we are competitive. I had a terrific race here last year and I haven’t given up on the hope of scoring points this weekend, particularly if the weather conditions are right.“

“It was a tough qualifying for both of us, commented Takuma Sato.  The car didn’t feel too bad, although we needed some more stability and grip.  Even so, we pushed the car set-up to the limit and it still wasn’t enough to get a good position.  At such a great circuit that’s a shame but tomorrow we have another chance.”

Gary Anderson, Jordan's Director of Race and Test Engineering was philosophical, “This is not really where we want to be, but Giancarlo spun and lost his race car and there is never the same confidence with the T-car.  He managed a reasonable result given the circumstances and with both drivers we got all we could out of the car in the time available.  It is quite a tight group, but we have got to accept it and get on with something different in the race tomorrow.”

It was McLaren’s Finnish youngster Kimi Raikkonen who set the early pace, but Michael Schumacher had not even stepped into the cockpit of his Ferrari at this stage. Instead, when all the other drivers had completed their first run, the German went out just before the half-hour mark. With the track to himself, the five times world champion gave his peers a driving demonstration, lapping seven tenths of a second quicker than anyone else.

Inevitably, the others all charged out of the pits again, but no one could match Schumacher, who was simply in a class of his own. Raikkonen improved his time, but had to settle for second place which means he lines up on the front row of the grid for the first time in his F1 career. Rubens Barrichello is still battling for second place in the Drivers’ Championship, which is all Ferrari needs to sweep the board, having already picked up the title with Michael as well as the Constructors’ trophy. The Brazilian had not been happy with his car’s handling, so was content with third spot. He shares the second row with Ralf Schumacher’s Williams. Starting from Row 3 are Ralf’s team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya, whose flamboyant style did not seem to suit this track and David Coulthard. The fact the Scotsman is four places down on his team mate is partly due to the fact he chose a harder tyre.

Michael Schumacher tried to play the lone rider card for his second run, but Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella decided to join the maestro out on track. It ended in tears as the Jordan driver spun off after misjudging his braking, which meant the Ferrari man had to abort his flying lap. However, a third run was quicker than his first, putting pole position out of everyone’s reach.

While Jarno Trulli was seventh, Eddie Irvine provided the surprise of the session, taking his Jaguar to eighth place, his and the team’s best qualifying performance of the year.

It is hard to see anyone beating Michael Schumacher tomorrow. Surprisingly, although he has been first past the chequered flag at Spa on six occasions –credited with five wins because of one disqualification – he has never started from pole. “I am very proud of this pole and now I am optimistic about the race,” he said. “Spa is a very significant track for me because of the importance it has played in my career.” A win today would see him beat the record of five wins he currently holds jointly with Ayrton Senna. In other words, unlike in Hungary a fortnight ago, he will not be going out of his way to help Barrichello confirm second place in the championship.