Damon Hill has been given a vote of confidence by his team boss. Founder Eddie Jordan is backing Hill to drag the team out of the mire, despite admitting his driver has not been as fast as expected in the opening three races.

Hill finished a distant eighth in both Australia and Argentina and was disqualified in Brazil because the car, which has been well off the pace of its rivals, was underweight.

But Jordan, who signed the 1996 champion in the hope that Hill's experience of winning would bring the elusive maiden victory, is confident things will improve.

"We have to be realistic and say we are both disappointed so far - but not in a disastrous sense, just that the car has not been quick enough," he said.

"Damon has the experience to help drag us out of the mire and he's trying to do that, but in terms of his ultimate speed, I am sure he is not happy."

Hill clashed with Tom Walkinshaw last year when the Arrows boss accused him of lacking motivation after a series of disappointing results in an underperforming car.

But Jordan has no such qualms so far over the 37-year-old driver, who he signed from Arrows in a two-year deal worth around £10 million to Dublin-based Hill.

"We have made changes to the car and there are things we are working on, so I am sure we will see a vast improvement from now on."

The recent alterations had an immediate affect on the drivers' performances on the opening day of practice for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.

German Ralf Schumacher was fifth fastest for Jordan yesterday, while Hill ended up ninth, though he would have been quicker but for an accident involving another car late in the session which forced him to slow down.

McLaren Mercedes were back on top again as world championship favourite Mika Hakkinen and his colleague David Coultard clocked the two fastest times. Michael Schumacher worked ferociously to put his Ferrari in third place.