Monaco GP: Bridgestone Thursday practice notes

Ferrari & Bridgestone fastest on day one of Monaco GP

Bridgestone equipped Michael Schumacher laid down the gauntlet today after setting the pace on the first day of the Monaco Grand Prix. The reigning champion posted the fastest time in both this morning's and this afternoon's practice sessions. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro teammate Rubens Barrichello was hot on the champion's heels this afternoon making the championship points leaders a formidable pair to be reckoned with this weekend.

The four Bridgestone-shod teams will have dedicated much of today's two one-hour practice sessions to evaluating their two tyre choices and final decisions need to be made by nine o'clock on the second day of practice.

Hirohide Hamashima, Head of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development:

"Well, if you discount the third drivers who will not participate in the race then Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were fastest this afternoon, which is a good sign. All our teams tried both their two Bridgestone tyre specifications today and now we shall check the tyre life status of those tyres and make our predictions for the weekend."

"Once this is done, the teams, in conjunction with Bridgestone, can make their final tyre choice. The track conditions were constantly evolving today which can make the lap times difficult to understand but by the end of the afternoon session, the track was no longer green and we were able to get more reliable results. Overall, it is a good start to the weekend."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"A typical Monaco day really. It's very difficult to follow what the track is doing as it changes a lot on the first day. We've progressed through a good programme and have plenty of data to look at. The drivers are happy with the cars and I think this is good for a first day at Monaco."

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