San Marino GP: Bridgestone Friday qualifying notes

Ferrari 1-2 puts Bridgestone on top

Bridgestone runners Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello marked their return to Europe with an impressive 1-2 in this afternoon's first qualifying session, making maximum use of their Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Barrichello, who initially claimed pole with a 1m21.082, was knocked off the top spot by his teammate by four tenths of a second.

In total, five Bridgestone runners made it into the top ten with Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda's Jenson Button posting sixth fastest time, one place ahead of his Canadian teammate Jacques Villeneuve. Sauber Petronas' Heinz-Harald Frentzen was tenth.

Earlier in the day and witnessed by his home fans, Italian Jordan Ford driver Giancarlo Fisichella was finally presented with his Brazilian Grand Prix victor's trophy. Following a review of the number of laps completed before the race was red-flagged, the Bridgestone equipped driver was declared the rightful winner of the Brazilian round by the FIA just one week ago.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport:

"Today we could really see the competitiveness of our tyres. The track temperatures were much higher than when we tested here earlier in the year but still we had the performance so I'm quite happy with that. It has definitely given us confidence for the race. Of course today is only Friday and we need to see how each team's specifications perform tomorrow before giving our advice about their final choice for second qualifying and the race."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"The tyres are certainly good for one lap here. We're quite pleased with their performance. Of course the forecast is for Sunday is doubtful so we may well be using our wet tyre!"

Geoff Willis, Technical Director of Lucky Strike BAR Honda:

"We estimated we'd be in the top eight today. There seems to be a reasonable mixture between the Bridgestone runners and our rivals so it doesn't look as if there is anything too different on the tyres. Certainly in comparison to last year we have made a huge step closer to the Ferraris which is part of our plan."

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