12th/13th May 2007

Motor-sport can be a frustrating business, especially when you are quick! As Jon was at Dijon-Prenois in France over the weekend.

Jon must have felt a degree of frustration when he commented on the two French Championship races that were held over the weekend, but if he did, he was keeping it well-controlled!

"I was very quick again," he explained, "just as I had been in the last few races. Practice on the Thursday and Friday before the race days felt really good, and I was able to circulate comfortably in the top five on both days. Time qualifying went to plan and I lined up on grid six. I had a problem at the first corner and but for that I reckon I was a definite contender for a place in the top three. I was in close contact with two of my team-mates, including Jules Bianchi, and at one stage was tucked up right behind them. In the end I finished in eighth place, which was a good result, but it could have been so much better."

Unfortunately Jon had fuel pressure concerns in second qualifying, but even with a faulty pick-up through the sweeping right-hand corners at the French track, Jon still qualified on grid six. "That was a good effort," he said, "especially as the engine was not picking up as well as it should have done. The problem is that with the fuel pressure fixed before the race, I was just too quick for those around me.

"I made a great start and was up to ninth place, putting pressure on Alexander Sims, as I tried to slipstream him into the first corner. He made a mistake though and we made contact, which meant that I spun and lost about 12 seconds. But even after a was able to re-start, the car was just so fast and I easily caught both Sims and Craig Dolby back up again. It was so easy and I had no trouble catching them back up again. But when I tried to pass Dolby, who was bouncing all over the kerbs trying to stop me passing him, he simply put me into the wall..! Why do slower drivers feel the need to spoil the race for quicker
drivers?"

It was evident that Jon was tripping over his rivals, for the simple reason that they were much slower in race trim than the young British ace. It bore comparison with a young Anthony Davidson in 2000, when Davidson had competed in the British Formula Ford series. Davidson had
been so quick, especially at Donington Park, that he too had experienced a few problems with slower drivers who were being out-classed.

"My time will come," Jon said. "I am getting quicker by the race."

There is now a long wait before the next Eurocup round, although Jon is scheduled to test on 31 May/1 June at Magny-Cours in France at the next official Eurocup testing session. "We will concentrate on our qualifying pace," Jon confided, "with two lap runs on cold tyres.. I'm looking forward to it."

Jon also sad that he wished to express his best wishes to his team-mate Eduardo Texte, who had a big shunt during the build-up to the weekend at Dijon. "I would like to wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can get back on track soon..."