Japanese Grand Prix — qualifying session
October 8, 2005

Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro had difficult final free practice at Suzuka due to the rain. However they managed to complete several flying laps to fine-tune the cars to their qualifying and race set-up and showed very good pace considering the wet conditions. In qualifying, Karthikeyan took advantage of the weather conditions, had a very good lap and set an encouraging time of 1.48.718. He will start tomorrow’s race on 11th position, the best qualifying place for Jordan Grand
Prix this season. 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.

Driver	3rd free practice	4th free practice	Qualifying
Narain Karthikeyan	1.50.811, 06th	1.50.150, 2nd	1:48.718, 11th
Tiago Monteiro	1.52.023, 09th	1.51.223, 6th	no time, 18th

Team quotes on the Japanese Grand Prix qualifying session

Narain Karthikeyan (EJ5B/01)
“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.”

Tiago Monteiro (EJ15B/02)
“It was tricky conditions and it was the first time we went on intermediate tyres. The grip was slippery but not too bad in the “S”s 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.”

Sporting director: Adrian Burgess
“We have had a good day today. Obviously the wet conditions suit us a little better than they do in the dry. Both drivers were very quick this morning in the wet. It is a shame we did not have more of a wet session, as we could have been a bit better. Narain had a good lap. Unfortunately Tiago made a small mistake and did not do a time but anything can happen tomorrow. Let’s see what we can do.”