Rubens Barrichello took his second pole position of the season as strengthening crosswinds later in the session hindered his main rivals. Starting early in the one lap qualifying shoot-out, calm conditions allowed the Brazilian to post a 1m 21.209s lap. As the session progressed the wind increased and became more blustery, slowing the fastest runners, with team mate and championship leader Michael Schumacher managing only fifth fastest time, six tenths off the pace.

Barichello was joined to the front row by Jarno Trulli's Renault, the Italian capitalising on a disasterous Friday session, while third was place fell to title contender Kimi Raikkonen, also an early runner. The current pace setting Williams-BMW's were hit by the changing conditions, Ralf Schumacher lining up on the outside of row two with team mate Juan Pablo Montoya back in seventh.

FERRARI

Sixth pole position of the season for Ferrari, the second with Rubens Barrichello. It is the fourteenth time in the history of the British Grand Prix that the Scuderia has had a car on the top position on the grid. Today's was Ferrari's 164th pole position. For Rubens it was the eighth of his career and the second here, after starting the 2000 race from pole. 

Jean Todt: 

"Seeing Rubens Barrichello topping the time sheet here at Silverstone is very gratifying. Michael ran wide off the track, which in the end prevented him from fighting for a front row position, but nevertheless fifth place is a good position from which to start the race. Tomorrow we can expect a tough and closely fought contest. We feel that our choices in terms of the Bridgestone tyres and our fuel load for the start should allow us to bring home some important points for both championships." 

Rubens Barrichello: 

"I was in agony waiting for the session to end! Yesterday, I made a mistake and also we had tried something completely different in terms of set-up which did not work. So today, we knew we had to work in a different direction. I am very happy with the car. Ferrari is a fantastic group of people who have worked very well on improving the car. We came here with lots of new items, the car is very fast and Bridgestone has done a fantastic job. I don't think running at the beginning of the session was a disadvantage in terms of lap time, but there was a lot more pressure to be 100% committed but not to make a mistake. It was a mind game. As for Michael, it was a case of mixed feelings, because of course I didn't want him to beat me, but at the same time I wanted him to do well for reasons of team spirit." 

Michael Schumacher: 

"Naturally, I am a bit disappointed with today's qualifying. I made a mistake, slid and ran wide at Abbey and of course, driving on grass is not very good for traction! The current top runners in the championship; Ralf, Kimi and myself are close together on the grid, which could be important tomorrow. Given the overall performance of our car this weekend, I expect us to be consistent in the race and fifth place is not the end of the world, although it will make my life more difficult. It will be a long afternoon, so let's wait and see. Congratulations to Rubens: he was quick here in the test and all weekend, so his performance was not a surprise." 

Ross Brawn: 

"Rubens did a fantastic lap, while Michael made a small mistake. I think that the track conditions might have been a bit more difficult towards the end of the session. Our chassis-engine-tyre package has taken a significant step forward compared with the last few races. Bridgestone came up with new tyres for us, both in terms of their compound and their construction. I feel everything is in place for us to have a great race tomorrow: Rubens starts ahead of everyone and despite what happened to Michael on his quick lap, he still has a good grid position." 

Rubens Barrichello: 1st  1.21.209 3 laps  chassis 230 
Michael Schumacher: 5th  1.21.867 3 laps  chassis 231