WilliamsF1 in 3rd and 4th after Saturday practice

At the top of the times was Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, who quite easily set the fastest time and is virtually guaranteed of securing pole. Next came Rubens Barrichello, who would improve his times during the session to finish second.

In a sign that the Arrows team is making positive moves Heinz-Harald Frentzen would secure fifth. He was followed by the Sauber pair of Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld who finished sixth and seventh. In eighth was McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Another team who seem to be improving their fortunes is that of British American Racing. Olivier Panis was ninth and Jacques Villeneuve tenth. In eleventh was Toyota's Allan McNish followed by team-mate Salo. For McLaren driver David Coulthard any thought of doing well this weekend must be slowly disappearing with David only been able to secure thirteenth.

Arrows' Enrique Bernoldi was fourteenth, leading the Renaults of Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button, who after their encouraging last few races seem to be losing their way again.

For Jordan the weekend has only gone downhill with Fisichella and Sato seventeenth and eighteenth. They weer followed by Pedro de la Rosa, Eddie Irvine, and the Minardi's of Webber and Yoong.