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Formula One: Tough challenge for Bar Honda in Monaco qualifying

4 June 2000

The streets of Monaco proved a tough challenge for BAR Honda during this
afternoon's qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix and combined with
the fates to restrict the efforts of both drivers to maximise the
potential of the car. As a result, Jacques Villeneuve will start
tomorrow's race from 17th place while team mate Ricardo Zonta is a row
further back in 20th place, the lowest position of the season for both
drivers.

Ricardo Zonta has never raced on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo before
and the young Brazilian was the first driver to venture onto the track
this afternoon. Having posted a safe time to ensure participation in
Sunday's event, Zonta went progressively quicker on his next two runs, but
the final attempt, with just minutes remaining, brought no further
improvement.

Jacques Villeneuve's decision also to go out early in the session proved
to be important as an engine problem stopped him mid-way through his 'out'
lap. Under the blazing sun, in helmet and full overalls, a two kilometre
run back to the pits was necessary before he took the T-car. The Canadian
set good times in the spare chassis and despite a spin looked set to move
higher up the timesheet on his last run. However, he was called to the
weighbridge, losing valuable minutes and the session ended before he was
able to get out for a final run.

Jacques Villeneuve	Position: 17th	1min 21.848sec
"With a good set-up the car was maybe capable of P7, but we did not get it
right early enough. The run back was no problem, but the T-car had been in
the sun and was very hot. At the end, we had fuel for another run and laps
to spare, but I was called to be weighed and the time ran out. To be
honest, it makes little difference here if you're 17th or 14th. We will be
able to take some risks from this position, so you never know what can
happen."

Ricardo Zonta	Position: 20th	1min 22.324sec
"I had fun driving here today. For me, it was actually quite a good
session because my times were close to Jacques' throughout. The only
problem is that we don't have enough downforce on the car and that cost
us. I drove on the limit of the car every time I was on the track, so I
enjoyed myself despite the result."

Takefumi Hosaka - Managing Director, Honda R&D	
"Jacques was very unfortunate today, both with the engine in his race car
and with the time that he lost at the end. We do not know the nature of
the problem yet, but we will investigate it thoroughly. Ricardo is doing a
good job considering he has not been here before and is still learning the
circuit."

Jordan Mugen Honda, meanwhile, produced its best qualifying performance of
the season. Jarno Trulli claimed a place on the front row of the grid for
the first time in his career, the Italian holding provisional pole
position at one stage before being edged out by Michael Schumacher's
Ferrari. Completing an excellent day for the team, Heinz-Harald Frentzen
set the fourth fastest time of the day and will start immediately behind
his colleague on row two.