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AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

First Qualifying - Friday 17th October 2003

DAVID DE GEA: 21st 1'34.957

"It's my first time at this track and my first time here on the four stroke. I was aiming for a faster lap time today but on my final lap I made a mistake going into the last corner and I lost some time. I am sure tomorrow I can do a 1.33, I'll be trying for it anyway.

I had this mornings crash fresh on my mind in the afternoon session but generally I am getting more confident on the bike every weekend.

Tomorrow I will be more familiar with the circuit especially the blind corners and I'm feeling pretty good for the race."

CHRIS BURNS: 23rd 1'35.623

"I made a good improvement of about two seconds from this mornings practice and I'm getting to know the track a bit better with each lap. It's my first time here to Phillip Island and to Australia and I find it a real technical track.

The Harris- WCM engine seems to be running well and the chassis is working better each weekend. It would seem that we have solved the previous problems with the clutch, it¹s now feels consistent.

We'll have to wait and see about the weather on Sunday, but I won't be concerned if it rains."

PETER CLIFFORD ­ (Team Manager)

"Good work from everybody today, the mechanics had a lot of work to put four bikes on the track following Malaysia and it's a credit to them that they had four bikes running at the end of today.

Chris and David made excellent progress through today and I'm sure they feel capable of a similar step forward tomorrow."