With yesterdas blue sky a long and distant memory at the start of the session all eyes were on the dark clouds gathering above the small Italian town of Imola this afternoon. At the tows racetrack, twenty drivers were attempting to qualify their cars for tomorros San Marino Grand Prix.
At the end of it all, it was World Champion Michael Schumacher who set the fastest time. With team mate Rubens Barrichello only two spots behind him, both Ferrars performed excellently, using the same fuel as was used in Brazil two weeks ago.
A great start to the weekend at Ferrars first home Grand Prix of the year. As last year, Michael was in pole position and todas result only goes to show that the development programme for fuels and oils never stops said Mike Copson of Shell Global SolutionsNothing can be assumed for tomorros race however, but we hope that the testing work we have done in preparation for the European season will yield results
Jos Verstappen now has the dubious distinction of being the first Formula One driver to have failed to finish a flying hot lap. He spun his Minardi into the tyre wall at the Variante Alta and will therefore be starting the race from the back of the grid.
Mark Webbes promise continues to shine however as he capitalised on yesterdas good performance to secure a third row start for his Jaguar tomorrow.
Ahead of the Australian, is the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya who sits behind his fellow South American Rubens Barrichello. Rubens registered his fastest lap of the day when his time came, clocking the fastest time in sector two along the way. Pole was not to be his though, although he is happy enough with third I feel it was OK and I am comfortable for tomorrow said Rubens.
Ralf Schumaches time of 1.22.341 still had him in provisional pole. And there was only one more car left to come - all eyes in Imola fell onto World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Michaes lap must rank as one of his best ever, professional and quick. He was 0.3 seconds faster than his brother in Sector One, and found another tenth in sector two. Stopping the clock at 1.22.327 Michael secured another pole position at Imola. Tomorrow he sets off in search of his fifth San Marino Grand Prix victory and his first of 2003.
