Webber too hot for Suzuka.

Mark Webber's dream of converting a surprise third place on the Japanese Grand Prix into points had to be put on the backburner just short of half distance, after the Australian complained of discomfort in the cockpit of his Jaguar-Cosworth.

Webber, who has just one race left with the Jaguar team before joining Williams-BMW in 2005 complained of rising temperatures in the car after only seven laps and, despite the team attempting to rectify matters during his first scheduled pit-stop, was forced to return to the pits when the heat became too much to take.

"It was on lap seven that I noticed that the cockpit was becoming increasingly hot and, in particular, my right-hand side," he revealed, "I pitted as planned on lap eleven and the team tried to cool me down by pouring water over me to solve the problem, but we could not find the cause for the heat, so I carried on in the hope that it would cool down - or at least remain static.

"It didn't work, though, and the heat soon became excruciatingly hot. I had no option but to retire. You need to be completed focused on the race and, when the temperature is so high that you are being physically affected and thus distracted, then you need to take the decision to stop.

"I am very disappointed not too have been able to continue, and perhaps finish in the points, especially after we had enjoyed a good morning. I hoped, that by securing third in qualifying, I could go some way to rewarding the team for their unwavering commitment, but it wasn't to be. Unfortunately, my start was not as good as I would have liked and, after losing three places, I was then being held up by the Toyota of Jarno Trulli. It was frustrating for us."