Formula One: Realistic Irvine happy with sixth

Eddie Irvine equalled his best qualifying display for Jaguar Racing with a superb sixth place in Monaco and then declared: "That is about as good as it gets."

The Ulsterman is now hoping to score the team's first points of the season on Sunday.

In Monte Carlo he claimed their maiden points last year with fourth place.

"The car ran perfectly, the team did a great job and I got four clear laps," added Irvine after finishing in the top 10 in qualifying for the first time this season.

"The new aerodynamic package has given us the edge that we needed to get closer to the front runners.

"I love this place. This circuit has always been good to me and to have put the car on the third row is absolutely fantastic.

"We must, however, remain realistic. It's all very well qualifying P6 (sixth) here but we now need to translate this performance into a points finish and then make it work at other circuits.

"It's a great morale booster for everybody - especially the team back at the factory who have worked so hard over the year so far. Let's hope this is the change of fortune that we've been hoping for."

Irvine's team-mate Pedro de la Rosa, who had crashed during practice last Thursday, paid for the lost time as he finished back in 14th spot.

But Irvine's display after he had come under fierce criticism for his jet-set lifestyle and a perceived lack of commitment will be a major boost to the struggling team.

Jaguar's heavily-hyped entry into F1 last year after the team Jackie Stewart founded was bought up by Ford and had its name changed turned into a nightmare as they scored just four points.

This season has hardly been any better with the team changing their driver line-up by bringing in Spaniard de la Rosa while Luciano Burti was off-loaded to Prost.

"This is a pleasing result for us after a difficult season so far," said team chief Bobby Rahal.

"This was a reflection of the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes back at the factory and in the wind tunnel. We will build from this.

"I will be very disappointed if we did not score any points this season and it would be good if we could get them on Sunday."