11.10.2003 RUBENS BARRICHELLO CLAIMS POLE AS LATE SESSION RAIN HITS THE TITLE CONTENTERS

As Gestione Sportiva Managing Director, Jean Todt, pointed out this afternoon, the new qualifying format introduced this year was created to occasionally mix up the accepted order on the grid. The arrival of rain, forty minutes into the final qualifying at Suzuka did just that.

 Light drizzle arrived just as Mark Webber, the twelfth man to make his run, took to the track in the Jaguar, setting a time good enough for an eventual sixth on the grid. Juan Pablo Montoya then made his run in the BMW-Williams to top the time sheet. By this stage the rain was intensifying slightly, just as Rubens Barrichello came out of pit lane. Despite the damp conditions, the Scuderia Ferrari man did a lap of 1’31”713, good enough to secure his third pole position of the season, seven tenths quicker than second placed Montoya.

The second row is an all Toyota affair with Cristiano Da Matta third and Olivier Panis fourth. However, by the time Michael Schumacher started his run, third from last to go out, the track was much damper and despite giving it his best shot, his time of 1’34”302 was only enough to take fourteenth place. In fact, the last two runners failed to record any time, as Ralf Schumacher spun at the chicane and yesterday’s pole man, Jarno Trulli aborted his run after his warm-up lap.

In terms of the Constructors’ Championship which sees the Scuderia and BMW-Williams locked in combat, we have Barrichello and Montoya on the front row, with the two Schumacher brothers further back. As for the Drivers’ title, Michael’s only rival, Kimi Raikkonen was also, but not as significantly. Affected by the rain and starts from eighth place on the grid, alongside his McLaren-Mercedes team-mate, David Coulthard, who is seventh.

FERRARI QUALIFYING REPORT

Qualifying - Second session: Rubens Barrichello: 1st 1.31.713 3 laps chassis 233, Michael Schumacher: 14th 1.34.302 3 laps chassis 229, Temperatures: air 22/23 C, track 25/26 C

Eighth pole position of the season, the third with Rubens Barrichello. It is the seventh time that a Scuderia car starts from the number one slot on the grid for the Japanese Grand Prix. This is pole number 166th for Ferrari and Rubens’ ninth.

Jean Todt: 'The changing weather conditions turned qualifying into a lottery. This has resulted in a rather unusual grid, although with Rubens we have a Ferrari on pole position. He drove a great lap just before the rain intensified. Michael was the third from last driver to go for his timed lap and the last man to complete his run. This explains his fourteenth position. The two championships will be decided in tomorrow’s race. We know what we have to do to defend our positions. It is obvious that, especially because of predictions for more uncertain weather, much will depend on making the right choices at the right time. The changes to the regulations introduced at the start of the year were designed to add an element of unpredictability to qualifying and here in Suzuka that is exactly what has happened.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'This was definitely my best ever qualifying lap at Suzuka. This morning, although the car was good on used tyres, I was not happy with it on new tyres. But we made changes which improved it a lot in time for the warm-up. I drove an aggressive lap even though it was already spitting and I attacked the Esses section hard. I was alright on the fast section, but I braked a bit conservatively into the chicane, as by then there was a lot of water on my visor. I do not feel under any pressure and tomorrow I just plan to enjoy the race. If I win, then for Michael the job is done and with me and Juan Pablo on the front and Michael and Ralf further back it should be interesting for the Constructors.’

Michael Schumacher: 'It was an interesting session, as the varying weather meant that track conditions were inconsistent. I am very happy that Rubens is on pole, as it is good for him, for the team, for the Constructors’ championship and even for my situation in the Drivers.’ The session could have been much worse for me and I think that Kimi was also affected a bit by the rain. Tomorrow the forecast is for mixed conditions, which could suit us.'

Ross Brawn: 'We are very happy with Rubens’ performance as he drove a really good lap. Michael’s position is all down to the rain which was timed badly for his run, even if he was not as badly affected as the last two runners. His time was quite impressive considering how damp it was. They say it should be wet again tomorrow, but we will need to check as the forecast is changing a lot. We are in a good position for tomorrow, as Rubens is on pole and Kimi is not so far ahead of Michael, so I think we have a good chance for both championships. The Bridgestone tyres looked very good in these difficult conditions.'