With the drivers taking their flying laps in a very mismatched order after the rain dramas of first qualifying, the dry conditions favoured the Michelin runners, and Michael Schumacher, four tenths of a second off pole pace, was glad to line up third in what was a damage limitation excercise, the Ferrari's Bridgestones being no match for the Williams' Michelins.

Fourth and fifth were the McLaren-Mercedes duo, Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard. The Scot, recording his best qualifying position since being on the front row in Brazil, was delighted to but together a solid lap after all his recent qualifying dramas.

Next up were the Renaults. On their home turf, qualifying specialist Jarno Trulli just edged out his highly rated team mate Fernando Alonso while behind them Rubens Barrichello, suffering from handling problems all weekend, lined up in eighth, for his poorest starting position this season.

Mark Webber's Jaguar and Olivier Panis' Toyota completed the top ten. Minardi came crashing back down to earth after their fastest times in first qualifying, with Justin Wilson's time being scratched after his car was found to be underweight, Jos Verstappen was left to start last, but the Italian cars could only manage 19th and 20th slots on the grid, the Dutchman 3.7 seconds off Ralf Schumacher's pole time.

FERRARI

Jean Todt: 

"We knew it would be a very tough qualifying session and so it proved. Michael managed to grab third place on the grid by a whisker, which will be important for tomorrow's race. Unfortunately, Rubens had too much understeer on his lap, evident from the first split time, at the end of a sector where he had previously been very quick all day. The race should be very close between the various chassis-engine-tyre packages. Given the points allocation system this year, reliability will be the crucial factor." 

Michael Schumacher: 

"We are not quite where I expected to be, as we thought this circuit would suit our car better. I don't think we have a problem in any particular area as it is more a case of the opposition getting stronger. It's true I am quickest in the first sector which could give an overtaking advantage, but I would trade that for pole if I could. At least third place means I am on the clean side of the track, which could be helpful tomorrow afternoon." 

"As for the changes to the circuit, I think it is a reasonable improvement over the old layout which was twisty and slow and a bit Mickey Mouse. After what happened at the Nurburgring, starting next to Juan Pablo is fine. We have been very close very often and that is part of racing and I am looking forward to it." 

Rubens Barrichello: 

"I am very disappointed. On my quick lap, the car was handling differently to the way it had done in the warm-up, picking up a lot of understeer. All day, I had been quickest in the first sector, but in qualifying no less than four drivers were quicker than me. Now I have to hope for a good result in the race, but it will be hard. So far we have had a very reliable car and we will be counting on that." 

Ross Brawn: 

"Naturally, we are disappointed with the way qualifying went today, as we were unable to fight for pole position. We hope to get a good result tomorrow, mainly through our reliability. It is clear that we have to improve the performance level of our package. We know what we have to do and we will be working flat out, along with our technical partners, to do just that in the coming weeks." 

Michael Schumacher: 3rd  1.15.480 3 laps  chassis 229 
Rubens Barrichello 8th  1.16.166  3 laps chassis 230