Heinz Harald Frentzen admitted yesterday that he is praying for the heavens to open over France on Sunday. The Jordan driver, who took his first Jordan victory at the technically demanding Magny Cours circuit in the midst of a deluge of biblical proportions last year, was eagerly eyeing weather reports issued at the circuit yesterday which forecast a 40 per cent chance of a wet race for the second year in a row. "I understand rain is forecast for Sunday," the German said, "And I can't say I have a problems with that."

Yesterday though, Frentzen had to contend with hot and muggy conditions as he set about preparing his EJ10 for this afternoon's qualifying session. In the end it was an uneventful day for him and Jordan team-mate Jarno Trulli, both drivers completing only a handful of laps around the slippery track having camped at the circuit last week for a three-day test.

"The intention today was not to run too much as we tried so many set-ups in testing here last week that we are already very well prepared for the race," said Frentzen, who finished the day in 10th place, despite running for only seven laps. Trulli, completing just two more laps than his team-mate, also admitted that the Friday sessions here were of limited value. "We tested so much here last week that we know the circuit well and how the car works here," said the seventh-placed Italian. "As a result, and especially because the tyre wear at the track is quite high, we chose today to conserve tyres and not make many runs."

Although work for the race will begin in earnest this morning, there is already a celebratory mood within the camp in the wake of the announcement on Thursday that the team has secured works Honda engines for next year.

Eddie Jordan, a changed man from the care-worn figure who in Monaco admitted that the search for a major engine supplier was occupying his every waking hour, said yesterday that the deal represented almost his biggest achievement in 30 years of racing. "This is by far the longest deal we've ever done and also the biggest strategic deal we've ever done. Honda are the best technical partners you could ever have, because of the knock-on benefits it brings in attracting drivers, technical people, engineers and all the elements you need."

The Honda deal won't materialise until the end of this season, however, and Jordan still have to prove themsleves this year. Nestling behind the McLarens and Ferraris in testing last week and with only Giancarlo Fisichella making a significant impression on yesterday's top 10 with sixth in the Benetton, the omens look good. But, predictably, it was Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Mika Hakkinen and Rubens Barrichello who squabbled over the top spots on the free practice timesheets.

By the end of the afternoon session it was Coulthard who came out at the head of the list. It turned out to be an appropriate performance, as afterwards the Scot revealed that he had signed a new one-year deal to remain with McLaren.

"It's excellent news for me and will allow me to get on with the job in hand," he said. "It ends any speculation regarding my future and is a big boost to my confidence."

Despite a first-session oil leak that restricted him to just nine laps and forced an inter-session engine change, Coulthard clocked a time of 1:16.687, two tenths faster than nearest rival Michael Schumacher.

Eddie Irvine, likely to be still smarting from the public dressing-down he received from Jaguar adviser Jackie Stewart this week, complained of heavy steering after sliding off twice in the afternoon session to finish the day 11th. Unconcerned, he said: "I tried three key set-ups today and have a clear indication of which direction to head in to improve the car for the race."