06.03.2004 FIFTY SIXTH POLE FOR MICHAEL SCHUMACHER AS FERRARI CLAIM THE FRONT ROW OF THE GRID FOR TOMORROW'S AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s 2004 season got off to the best possible start courtesy of the F2004, which in the hands of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello ensured an all-Ferrari front row of the grid for tomorrow’s Australian Grand Prix.

This was the first time that the new qualifying procedure was seen in action, with two sessions running back to back with just two minutes in between each. The running order for the first session was based on the result of the last race, in this case the 2003 Japanese GP. That meant Suzuka winner Rubens Barrichello was first on the track, while Michael Schumacher was eighth man out of pit lane.

Facing a dusty track, the Brazilian adopted a cautious approach, to post the eighth quickest time, while the German set the second best lap time. Barrichello was therefore the first of the quickest group to go out in the second half and his time of 1’24”482 was good enough for second place. Schumacher’s fifty sixth pole came courtesy of a lap in 1’24” 408, just seven hundredths of a second quicker than his team-mate. Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button set identical third place times of 1’24”998, but third place on the grid tomorrow will go to the BMW-Williams driver, by virtue of being quicker than the BAR-Honda man in the first part of the session. The third row of the grid features the Renault of Fernando Alonso in fifth place (1’25”699) and the Jaguar of Mark Webber in sixth place (1’25”805.) The new format, all-in-one qualifying lasted one hour and 51 minutes. Only three drivers failed to post a second time: Olivier Panis (Toyota,) Christian Klien (Jaguar) and Gianmaria Bruni (Minardi) and so they occupy the last three spots on the grid in that order, based on their first timed attempt.

First pole position of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the fifth (and fourth consecutively) in the Australian Grand Prix. It was the 167th pole in the team’s history and the 56th of Schumacher’s career.

Jean Todt: 'First qualifying of the season and immediately we have two Ferraris on the front row. It is an encouraging result, but we are well aware - we only have to think back to last year - that it is only the first step in what will be a very long season. The F2004 worked well, showing that it has good potential. The work carried out over the winter by the team, by Bridgestone, Shell and our other technical partners is beginning to bear fruit. Now we have to tackle the most important part of the weekend. We know that because the current qualifying system involves running on Saturday afternoon with enough fuel to get to the first stop in the race, today’s lap times are not an accurate reflection of the strengths of the teams. Overall reliability and strategy will be the key factors tomorrow.'

Michael Schumacher: 'The team has done a fantastic job. This car has got great potential which it showed straight out of the box. I had a very good feeling with it today. I am not surprised to be on pole here, as historically we have always gone very well here in Melbourne. But I do not want to sound too optimistic as I am sure there will be harder times ahead at some of the other circuits. The new engine rule has not affected us too much and that is down to a good job of preparation in terms of extending reliability while improving power. This result proves what a fantastic job everyone back in the factory has done over the winter, but it’s going to be a tough season.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'For the first part of the session, I was first on track and it was very dusty, so I was being very careful and then on my second run, I pushed as hard as I could. It was a very good lap, even if Michael went a little bit quicker. I am a happy guy and while I am second today, I would like to go one better tomorrow. We found the right set-up and the car felt good. I was aware of the new engine rule and I got the impression that maybe only 10% of the drivers were trying for a time in the first part, while the majority were only looking after their car for the second half.'

Ross Brawn: 'I am very happy with this result, even though I realise that the qualifying format does not paint a clear picture of the situation. We therefore have to be a bit cautious. Having said that, I think we have made a good choice in terms of race strategy. I must congratulate the team for doing a great job and Bridgestone, who have proved how inaccurate was the criticism levelled at them by the media in the last few months.'

NEW RULES FOR F1 AND NEW STRATEGIES FOR FERRARI

Qualifying - First session: Michael Schumacher: 2nd 1.25.301 3 laps chassis 234, Rubens Barrichello: 8th 1.25.992 3 laps chassis 236, Temperatures: air 23° C, track 35° C

Qualifying - Second session: Michael Schumacher: 1st 1.24.408 3 laps chassis 234, Rubens Barrichello: 2nd 1.24.482 3 laps chassis 236, Temperatures: air 24° C, track 36° C