Monaco GP: Bridgestone Saturday qualifying notes

Michael leads Bridgestone attack

This afternoon's final qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix resulted in Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello leading the Bridgestone challengers in fifth and seventh positions respectively. With Bridgestone having topped the leader board in first qualifying on Thursday with a 1-2-3 (Schumacher, Barrichello and Button), today's results have brought talk of fuel loads, tactics and the new qualifying regulations back to the fore making tomorrow's race on the 3.34km street circuit an eagerly awaited one.

Missing, however, from the Bridgestone pack was Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda's Jenson Button. The Briton, who qualified in third place on Thursday, did not take part in today's final qualifying after an incident in the second of this morning's practice sessions which brought out the red flag. Button was taken to hospital for precautionary medical checks but has not sustained any physical injuries. His team will seek further medical advice as to whether he will race on Sunday.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport:

"A little disappointed not to see a Bridgestone runner on the front row today but with these new rules it is difficult to comment when you don't know what fuel loads the opposition are running. Our tyres are performing well and we're confident they are the right tyres to have for tomorrow's race. A real shame not to see Jenson Button out there this afternoon as he has been looking particularly promising for Bridgestone recently. We hope he is getting some rest after this morning's incident."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"Well, under the new regulations you don't really know where you are because of the fuel so it'll be interesting to see tomorrow what fuel the other teams were running. There did seem to be a difference in the level of grip today compared to Thursday but we know we've got a good race tyre."

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