Belgian GP Saturday Ferrari notes

Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps, Saturday 29th August

Michael Schumacher: fourth, 1m 50.027s, 12 laps Eddie Irvine: fifth, 1m 50.189s, 12 laps

Jean Todt "We knew it would be difficult to get onto the front row, but we felt we could hang on to Michael's third place. Eddie protected his position well and even though he did not improve his time on his last run, he is still on the third row. Tomorrow, with Michael on the second row, a good start will be very important. The right strategy will also be vital on such a tough track as this."

Michael Schumacher "I am not too happy with our qualifying today as we are over one second off pole and only fourth on the grid. It is a bit disappointing. On my quickest lap I had to slow down at the Bus Stop chicane because of a yellow flag. Without that I could have been a couple of tenths quicker. On my last run, I flat spotted a tyre at the first corner, so I could not improve my time. I hope we can do better in the race tomorrow."

Eddie Irvine "What Rosset did to me was completely unacceptable. He was sleeping and not paying attention. He braked as though he was taking the chicane but then he went into the pits. I got past him but it was too tight as you need all the track at the chicane. Looking at my split times, I could have been one or maybe two places higher. The car is still not right, sliding around too much and I know what I want to try for the warm-up, but I do not know if it will work. We have improved the brakes. It is going to be a very tough race."

Chassis: Schumacher no. 188, Irvine no. 185 Temperatures: air 11 C, track 18 C