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World champion Michael
Schumacher did enough to clinch the 52nd pole position of his career
during final qualifying for tomorrow’s San Marino Grand Prix – but it was
a close call. The Ferrari driver was just 0.014s faster than younger
brother Ralf, who was fastest of six Michelin drivers in the top 10. It
was a terrific recovery by the younger Schumacher, who crashed heavily
during the morning’s final free practice session and seriously damaged his
original Williams chassis. He used the team’s spare car for qualifying.
Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) was third, ahead of second BMW WilliamsF1
Team driver Juan Pablo Montoya. On another positive day for Michelin,
Australian Mark Webber continued the stunning form he showed in Brazil and
qualified his Jaguar fifth. His team-mate Antonio Pizzonia did not have
such a good day, however. His lap was compromised by a moment at one of
the chicanes, when he rode high over a kerb, got slightly sideways and
scrubbed off some vital speed. He will start tomorrow’s race 15th.
For the first time since Monza last year, Kimi Räikkönen
(McLaren-Mercedes/Michelin) had the upper hand on team-mate David
Coulthard (12th) in qualifying. Despite a major wobble as he exited the
Variante Alta chicane, the Finn will line up sixth.
Renault knew ahead of this weekend that Imola would not suit its
Michelin-shod chassis as well as the first three races – but Fernando
Alonso (eighth) maintained his run of eye-catching form by lapping one
second faster than team-mate Jarno Trulli (16th). Michelin’s fifth partner
team Toyota hopes it has cured the fuel pick-up problem that plagued the
team in the first three races of the season. Its drivers Olivier Panis and
Cristiano da Matta will, start 10th and 13th respectively.
For the first time this season qualifying was red-flagged because of an
accident. Dutchman Jos Verstappen emerged unhurt after crashing heavily
and damaging his Minardi extensively.
Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director, commented on various
subjects.
SIX OF THE BEST
Ralf Schumacher came within 0.014s of claiming the second Formula One pole
position of his career during qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix.
Using his spare Williams-BMW, after an accident in this morning’s free
practice session, the German was beaten only by his world champion brother
Michael. Schumacher Jnr was quickest of six Michelin drivers in the top
10.
Dupasquier said: “Things
were incredibly close today but, as always, we can’t be sure which drivers
might have 10kg more or less fuel than their rivals – and that has a very
significant influence on lap times here.”
SINGLE-MINDED APPROACH
The majority of Michelin’s partner teams have chosen to race the same type
of dry-weather tyre if the rain holds off tomorrow. Pierre Dupasquier
said: “This weekend we brought three dry-weather tyre options with us and
one has shown itself to be clearly quicker than the others. For the first
time this year we are using compounds from the softer end of our range and
I have been pleased with the results in terms of both performance and
durability. The track has been resurfaced in some areas and wear rates
have so far been quite a bit fiercer than we had anticipated, but the
track has become progressively less abrasive throughout the weekend and I
expect it to be better still tomorrow, if it stays dry.”
TALKING OF WHICH…
As is customary, Michelin has been keeping in close contact with the
meteorological office throughout the race weekend. Pierre Dupasquier said:
“There is a very significant risk of rain tomorrow – but that holds no
fears for me. This weekend, we will again be using a rain tyre that proved
to be effective during the last tests sessions.” |
