23/04/2005
NEWS STORY
Jean Todt: It was a very close first qualifying session with thirteen drivers separated by just over one second. Michael managed to get the most out of the car-engine-Bridgestone tyre package, while Rubens was not perfectly happy with the balance of his car and so was unable to set a better time. There is still a long way to go in this Grand Prix. We must make the most suitable choices for tomorrow's second qualifying session, when we run with the fuel load with which we start the race. Then come the 62 laps of this the fourth round of the season, when reliability and consistency in terms of tyre performance will be key factors. Given what we have seen so far, we have cause to be optimistic.
Michael Schumacher: I am very pleased with my lap time this afternoon, especially considering I went out quite early in the running order and given that, if we have a slightly weak spot, it is in the one lap performance. But it is clear we have improved in this area. Everyone in the team was very motivated to work hard having seen the performance potential of the F2005 in Bahrain and today's performance is a result of all their hard work. I think we can be in the fight for the win on Sunday, It will be tight and tough, but the opportunity is there.
Rubens Barrichello: We have made a major step forward compared with Bahrain, both in terms of development of the F2005 and the Bridgestone tyres. We are definitely more competitive in relation to the others. On new tyres for qualifying, I was not as happy with the balance of the car as I had been in this morning's free practice on old ones. There is not much of a time difference between me and those directly ahead of me, so I still have the possibility of moving further up the grid order.
Ross Brawn: We can be fairly happy given we did not have the best starting positions for qualifying. Michael in particular did an exceptional lap which gives us something to build on for tomorrow. I feel we can challenge for the win this weekend. Rubens still needs to find a slightly better balance on his car, although there is not much we can do as the cars are now in parc ferme. However, this morning, both drivers did very good long runs, which is encouraging for tomorrow.