French GP Saturday Ferrari notes

Michael Schumacher: sixth, 1.41.127, 10 laps Eddie Irvine: seventeenth, 1.45.218, 7 laps

Jean Todt "This was a nightmare qualifying session. By the time we went out on the track it was too late. It was then a case of damage limitation as it was just a lottery with all that water on the track. Michael came out of it sixth and Eddie seventeenth. The cars had no grip. Given that people complain there is too little overtaking in Formula 1, I think tomorrow there will be a lot. With this grid, it will be a very open race and anything could happen."

Michael Schumacher "This was a chaotic session. Track conditions were very dangerous with a lot of aquaplaning and there was a risk of spinning even on the straights. We chose to go out late, because usually, other cars improve the conditions on the racing line. Today this did not happen and so we learned something new. If the weather is the same tomorrow, it will be a very difficult and dangerous race. Therefore I hope it will be dry and everyone can have a normal race."

Eddie Irvine "It was a major tactical error not to go out early. I found my car difficult to drive on these tyres and was aquaplaning everywhere. Then, on my last run, when I was heading for a better time, I came across a car going slowly through the chicane and I spun trying to avoid him. My power steering had failed as I left the pits on my last run, so that did not help either. I lost more time as I was weighed twice by the scrutineers. My grid position will make for a very exciting race!"

Chassis: Schumacher no. 193, Irvine no. 191 Temperatures: air 18-17C, track 18-17C