British GP Saturday Ferrari notes

Silverstone, 22nd April

Rubens Barrichello: 1st, 1m 25.703, 11 laps, chassis 199
Michael Schumacher: 5th, 1m 26.141, 10 laps, chassis 200

Temperatures: air 10-12 °C, track 10-13 °C

First pole position this season for Ferrari and for Rubens Barrichello. This is the Scuderia’s 128th pole, its twelfth in the British GP.

Jean Todt:
“Thanks to Rubens, who did a great job in qualifying, Ferrari has secured its first pole position of the season. The session was very closely fought, with the changing track conditions and the ever present risk of rain. We got Michael out of the pits a couple of seconds late and that is why he did not get a second timed lap in on his final run. But for that, he would have had the chance to improve his time. Given the unpredictable weather, tomorrow’s race will be a difficult one. We will try our best to defend our position in the championships.”

Rubens Barrichello:
“I am very happy with my first pole for Ferrari. I like driving in these conditions. I did not know what to expect as last week in testing I only drove in the wet and only did two laps in the dry yesterday. The team did a good job with my car, I know this track very well and I pushed right to the very limit. I went out early because I thought it might rain later. That is why I had to go out early again for my second run at a different time to the others. Starting from pole tomorrow will be important if the weather is bad for the race. I will not be celebrating Brazil’s 500th birthday tonight, but I hope to give my country a better present tomorrow.”

Michael Schumacher:
“First of all I want to congratulate Rubens for pole. On my last run, we had changed the set-up, but it did not pay off. On top of that, I made a couple of small mistakes which cost me precious time. I am not satisfied with my grid position. However, it is very important for me that my main rival for the championship is right in front of me because my main objective is to pass him. It is impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow in the race. This weather means that everything can change in a matter of minutes.”