Ferrari 2nd and 4th in final practice

In a slow first session Barrichello was back out in the closing five minutes and he is improving on his best lap so far and goes into second with a 1.45.839 Rubens setting the fastest sector three time on his way. The last minute of the session and Michael is back out on track and is looking to break into the 44’s and that’s is what he does with a 1.44.951 to set a new fastest lap of the weekend. And that was it for the first 45 minute session and the teams had a half hour break before session two.

Top six after session 1 – M Schumacher, R Barrichello, K Raikkonen, D Coulthard, R Schumacher and J Montoya.

The second and final free practice session seen both Ferrari’s out on track early on Schumacher did not do a fast lap instead returning to the pit lane where he is invited to pay a visit to the weigh-bridge before returning to his pit. Barrichello was out also but he made no improvement on this earlier time. Schumacher is soon to return to the track and with used tyres he makes no improvement either but his slow lap is still faster than anyone else has been!

25 minutes to go and Williams are beginning to show their hand as Montoya appears on track on new tyres. The Colombian splits the Ferrari’s and goes into second place. Barrichello is out on track soon after hoping to see an improvement on his times and get closer to Michael at the front. But no change in his lap time for the Brazilian who appears to be running less rear wing that Michael at this stage of the weekend.

McLaren’s Raikkonen is soon to go back to the top of the times as he puts in a quick lap on his fresh Michelin tyres a 1.44.870 is the new benchmark time. Michael is back on track but not so good for the German as he spins his F2002 at the same place as Rubens went off yesterday but he was able to gather it together and continue on his way as Coulthard moves into third. Closing moments of the session seen Barrichello back on track and he improves to go into fourth place.

So although not a domination in practice the Ferrari team will be very confident that pole position will be secured later on today. Michael Schumacher looks very comfortable with his set-up and we have yet to see his best so far. Barrichello too is looking good and is still to show what he can do.

Full Times

1. RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes 1'44"870 239.199 Km/h
2. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1'44"951 + 0'00"081
3. COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes 1'45"407 + 0'00"537
4. BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1'45"451 + 0'00"581
5. MONTOYA Williams BMW 1'45"620 + 0'00"750
6. R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW 1'45"696 + 0'00"826
7. SALO Toyota 1'46"324 + 0'01"454
8. PANIS BAR Honda 1'46"628 + 0'01"758
9. DE LA ROSA Jaguar Cosworth 1'46"759 + 0'01"889
10. BUTTON Renault 1'46"820 + 0'01"950
11. FISICHELLA Jordan Honda 1'46"866 + 0'01"996
12. IRVINE Jaguar Cosworth 1'46"873 + 0'02"003
13. VILLENEUVE BAR Honda 1'47"087 + 0'02"217
14. MASSA Sauber Petronas 1'47"092 + 0'02"222
15. TRULLI Renault 1'47"292 + 0'02"422
16. SATO Jordan Honda 1'47"376 + 0'02"506
17. HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas 1'47"387 + 0'02"517
18. MCNISH Toyota 1'47"670 + 0'02"800
19. WEBBER Minardi Asiatech 1'48"735 + 0'03"865
20. DAVIDSON Minardi Asiatech 1'49"386 + 0'04"516