Joy for Jordan woe for Wilson

JORDAN-FORD’S Ralph Firman reached the dizzy heights of second fastest qualifier after Justin Wilson got a pat on the back from five-time world champion Michael Schumacher — then a slap in the face from the stewards in France.

Wilson, the 24-year-old British rookie, had finished second fastest in first qualifying just behind team-mate Jos Verstappen as minnows Minardi seemingly capitalised at Magny-Cours.

Wilson finished seven seconds quicker than Schumacher's Ferrari but the Sheffield-racer's joy at his highest position in any session proved short-lived when his car was revealed to be overweight by 2.5kg a few lumps more than a bag of sugar.

It was a bitter pill for Wilson to have to swallow and he will now be first out in final qualifying today instead of in penultimate place.

But Dutchman Verstappen's time does stand as he benefited as the track began to dry out after long periods of rain.

Wilson's fellow rookie Ralph Firman added to the unrealistic time-sheets with the second best time though he was over 2.6secs adrift and despite going airborne at one stage when he went wide in his Jordan-Ford.

"I was trying to be cautious at certain parts of the circuit but it was difficult and I made a big mistake which is frustrating," said the 28-year-old Norwich-based racer who was third before Wilson's problem.

"But it's great to be third. It's my first time here and I need more laps in the dry tomorrow to get the hang of the circuit as its quite technical."

Schumacher, back in 12th place, after being first out on the track as championship leader, before hearing of Wilson's weight problem. said: "It was an interesting session and I say well done to the Minardis for taking first and second places."

"It is a fantastic thing to see. We are where we should expect to be given the track conditions when I made my run so I am reasonable happy."

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve also had no complaints after seeing the new single lap qualifying format do what it was designed to and shake up the grid with a large helping help from the constantly-changing weather.

"Isn't it great," said Villeneuve, seventh fastest despite having no track time because of BAR's legal battle. Isn't that what was wanted. It's fun everybody knows why it happened and it does not count in any way for the championship. "

Schumacher, meanwhile, saw all his main title rivals go slower even though he acted the track cleaner and will have the advantage of going out after them tomorrow unless the weather intervenes again.

McLaren's David Coulthard was 13th with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who trails Schumacher by seven points going into the 10th round of the 16-race season, three places further back.

Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya was 15th while fellow Williams-BMW driver Ralf Schumacher who won the race in Germany last Sunday was 17th with Renault's Fernando Alonso 18th fastest.

Jenson Button wound-up bottom having had no track time with his BAR car impounded until after practice but will now be the second man out today after Wilson.