Engine failure costs Irvine

Eddie Irvine threatened to take a top 10 grid slot, but a blown engine meant he missed his final run, and dropped back as others made gains as the track improved.

"Given that I was nearly half a second up coming out of 130R on my third run, it was obvious that there was a big improvement to come and it's very disappointing to have lost the opportunity," he said. "I started from 13th on the grid last year and if it wasn't for a fuel rig failure during the race, we were in with a chance of grabbing a point. Nothing is impossible and given the high attrition rate at this circuit, getting across the finishing line can sometimes result in reward of some kind."

Pedro de la Rosa failed to many any impact on the session and admitted he'd not got to grips with the R3 and will start 17th.

"I made a couple of mistakes during my first timed run but improved in the second," he said. "My third run was compromised by a BAR that got in the way and while my last run improved significantly, it made no difference to the overall position. The lack of pace during qualifying doesn't bode well for tomorrow and I have little choice but to go out there and take some chances."