French GP: Ferrari Friday qualifying notes

Ferrari fastest with the wet track then the two Minardi's great day

Jean Todt:

"It was a really unpredictable qualifying, with the two Bridgestone-shod Minardis on the theoretical front row and I am happy for the Anglo-Italian team. Obviously, the changing conditions were the deciding factor in this first qualifying session, with the track progressively getting dryer."

"It means that the running order in tomorrow's second session will be very different to usual. We were able to ascertain that, in the wet, our car on Bridgestone tyres worked very well. The weather forecast is good for the weekend and tomorrow morning in free practice, it will be vital to be able to work on dry set-up and tyre choice, which we have been unable to do today."

Rubens Barrichello:

"I had a difficult morning today with various problems, but I was happy that we were able to make a lot of progress on the balance of the car for qualifying. In the Nürburgring, people were unhappy that the track got wetter and wetter throughout the session and today it was the other way round. It is the inevitable result of the qualifying format and it benefits different drivers at different times. But the most important thing for me today was that I was able to significantly improve my car, so I am in good shape for tomorrow."

Michael Schumacher:

"It was an interesting session and I say well done to the Minardis for taking first and second places. It is a fantastic thing to see. We are where we should expect to be given the track conditions when I made my run, so I am reasonably happy. Given the track conditions this afternoon, I cannot really give an accurate assessment of how the car was performing. This morning was more useful to us as at least the conditions were consistent and the car seemed to work well in the wet."

Ross Brawn:

"All things considered, we can be satisfied with our performance on the day. We were quickest in qualifying when the track was still pretty wet. Rubens was not very satisfied with the handling of his car this morning, but was much happier with it this afternoon, thanks to the work he put in along with the team."

Rubens Barrichello: 11th
1.27.096 3 laps
chassis 230

Michael Schumacher: 12th
1.27.929 3 laps
chassis 231

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