Jacques blast from the past

JACQUES VILLENEUVE'S sensational performance to claim third spot in provisional qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix left him reminiscing about his world championship season of 1997.

The Canadian and British American Racing team-mate Jenson Button have put their differences to one side and yesterday launched a twin assault on the establishment, gatecrashing the top five after the first-ever 'flying lap' qualifying in Formula One.

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello took provisional pole in one minute 26.372 seconds, with McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen second, 0.179secs back, and Michael Schumacher relegated to fourth spot.