Just like he did last year, in ...

Published on 08 March 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

Just like he did last year, in his first Grand Prix, Jacques Villeneuve will start on pole position tomorrow at the Australian Grand Prix. With an incredible time of 1.29.369 he was almost 2 seconds faster than number 2, his teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen. On the second row are Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard and the third row is occupied by Eddy Irvine and Mika Hakkinen.

Jos Verstappen starts last with a time of 1:34.943, teammate Mika Salo starts from position 18 with a time of 1:34.229. The qualifying session was stopped with just more than 2 minutes to go due to crashes from Berger and Larini. For a complete overview of the qualifying session you can take a look at our season page.

Jos as well as Mika struggled to find grip after an encouraging morning when the set up had been improved. Jos commented afterwards: "I'm not happy at all being on the back of the grid. The handling of the car was better at the end of the session, but the red flag came out when I was on my last flying lap. We lost grip this afternoon and I hope it will be better in the race." Mika Salo commented: "Obviously I am Unhappy with the grid position. I struggled to find any grip on the circuit at all, although the set up of the car was much better than this morning."

Harvey Postlethwaite, Managing director, said: "Although the balance of both cars has improved we were not quick enough in qualifying. Our drivers are complaining of a 'lack of grip' which means that we have gone in the wrong direction with the set up. We will prepare other solutions for the warm up and with a better set up for the race we are looking forward to a strong and reliable Grand Prix."