German GP Friday Ferrari notes

German Grand Prix Press release of 31st July Hockenheim, Friday 31st July

Michael Schumacher: fifth, 1m 44.757s, 22 laps Eddie Irvine: sixth, 1m 44.780s, 29 laps

Jean Todt "We tried the long wheelbase chassis on Michael's car. After analysing the data we have decided to use the standard wheelbase car for both drivers. Today we worked on the set-up and mainly for the race."

Michael Schumacher "It is not easy to find the right compromise in terms of having sufficient downforce for the Motodrom and enough top speed for the straights. As the speeds show, engine power is not a problem for us, but I was sliding quite a bit in the stadium section as I did not have enough grip. Furthermore, Hockenheim seems to be much more bumpy than in previous years, so you are shaken around a lot in the cockpit and we ran with a slightly higher ride height than usual. Qualifying will be difficult and I cannot make any predictions. This track often comes up with surprise."

Eddie Irvine "Generally the car feels good as we ran in race configuration all day. At first I was struggling with the balance of the car and I was losing control of the rear end. Then we made some changes and they produced a big step forward. We have found quite a good compromise in set-up terms to cope with the long straights and the stadium section. Qualifying will be very tough because you really only get one lap per run and so you have to be flat out all the time. I went off the track a couple of times. It happens when you are braking for slow chicanes from such high speeds."

Chassis: Schumacher no. 188 (long wheelbase), Irvine no. 185 Temperatures: air 20 C, track 30 C