San Marino GP: Ferrari Saturday qualifying notes

Third pole position of the season for Ferrari, the second with Michael Schumacher. It is the fifth time that a Ferrari starts the San Marino Grand Prix from pole. This is the Scuderia's 161st pole and the 52nd for Michael.

Jean Todt:

"This results makes us very happy. Today, the whole team can afford to smile. It's true that an all-red front row would have been better, but having them in line astern, with one car on pole is also a good sight to see. I am also happy for Ralf, who will start alongside Michael and they will thus be together at this difficult time for them. The qualifying session was very close today, which has not been the case so far this year."

"Of course there is still an element of uncertainty concerning how much fuel all the cars had on board. We will only find out tomorrow afternoon. I am happy for the drivers, the race team and the entire Gestione Sportiva who watched qualifying from a specially reserved grandstand and also for our technical partners, especially Bridgestone and Shell. But we still have to face the toughest part of the weekend, which will be tomorrow afternoon's race."

Michael Schumacher:

"Today, what we refer to as the 'old' car proved what it could do and what we knew it was capable of. However, it will be interesting to see what happens depending on today's fuel loads. My lap was not perfect, as I was cautious and eased off a bit in the final sector. From testing here we knew what to expect and it felt comfortable today. It is great to be back on top, especially here in Imola. Some rain is forecast for tomorrow, but we should not fear the weather conditions as I do not think we will see rivers across the track, like we did in Brazil."

Rubens Barrichello:

"Qualifying is always difficult when you have a problem so close to the start of the session. As I went off the track during the warm-up I was not able to set up the car as well as possible for qualifying before my run. Taking this factor into consideration I am happy with my third place, especially as I will start from the clean side of the track. It is looking good for tomorrow."

Ross Brawn:

"We certainly have not had to compromise our race fuel strategy in order to get this pole position. We are confident we have made the right decision concerning the fuel load we ran and with Michael starting at the front of the field we have the opportunity to do well in the race. We were disappointed not to be able to bring the new car here, but today we have shown that the F2002 is still competitive and we hope to give it a good farewell send off tomorrow."

Michael Schumacher: 1st
1.22.327 3 laps
F2002 chassis 225

Rubens Barrichello: 3rd
1.22.557 3 laps
F2002 chassis 223

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