Giancarlo Fisichella's magnificent second place at yesterday's Belgian Grand Prix at the daunting Spa Francorchamps circuit moves Eddie Jordan's team past Prost and to within seven points of McLaren in the chase for fourth place in the World Constructors' Championship.

Fisichella, aided by a brilliant team strategy, finished behind the peerless Michael Schumacher, the Ferrari driver stretching his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 12 points after his fourth victory of the season, on foot of a flawless drive in initially treacherous conditions.

Fisichella beamed with delight after the race as he explained his journey to Jordan's second ever runner-up finish: "The team chose a fantastic strategy. I started on intermediates and even though it was raining heavily at the start, they were a lot faster than full wets. On my first stop I changed to drys and my last stop was the same thing. The pit-stops were very good and I made up some time on them. I was also running with a lot of fuel at the start and I think that helped the handling of the car.

"I am really happy with the result, it is my best ever. I drove very carefully at the start and with the intermediates, I was faster than Jean (Alesi) and was able to get by. Then I was able to put in some quick laps and built up a gap that I was able to keep," he said.

"Now all I want is a victory and I hope we can do it in Monza. We have been very quick in testing there and I feel our time is coming."

There was high emotion among the other Jordan team members who feel yesterday's result is further proof that a win is possible this year: "It is a good result," said Eddie Jordan in the motorhome afterwards. "We are now five points ahead of Prost and if Hakkinen's result does not stand we will be only three points behind McLaren. We are absolutely determined to beat them in the championship this year." Hakkinen's third place is under threat from an inquiry into the fuel McLaren used in practice and the fact that Hakkinen overtook cars after going off behind the safety car.

In stark contrast to Fisichella, Ralf Schumacher had a dire race - crushing his race car against the barrier during the parade lap: "It wasn't my day. I ran back and took the spare but it was set up for Giancarlo." He crashed that during the race and while Gary Anderson and Eddie Jordan threw their eyes to heaven, Gary refused to criticise: "He's young. He's got a bit to learn yet."

Meanwhile, Fisichella's future with Jordan has still not been resolved. "We have him signed for two years," said Eddie Jordan flatly, while Fisichella himself said that the issue of whether he would return to Benetton or stay with Jordan "will probably be resolved this week".

While Michael Schumacher flew off into the distance, Eddie Irvine had his worst race of the year, crashing out for the second race in succession on the very last lap. Irvine had started 17th on the grid and had made steady progress to eighth before a final lap collision ended his race. "I would like to forget the last three days which have been very difficult for me," said the Ulsterman who was classified 11th.