Schumacher Sure of Strong Race Pace

The German seven-time champion posted the seventh quickest time of the day, over six tenths of a second behind pole-setter Jarno Trulli in the Michelin-shod Toyota.

Schumacher, who has won in Spain for the last four years, admitted Ferrari couldn't find the pace in qualifying, but he is confident their pace will be stronger in the race.

"I am not sure whether we were on it, we looked strong in the first sector but second or third sectors we lost all of our time, about four tenths, and that is too much," said Schumacher.

"That is the way it was this morning and we have to face the situation that over one lap we are not strong enough. We are much more competitive on race pace."

The Ferrari driver is nearly four tenths of a second behind the closest of his rivals, and he believes gaining any positions in tomorrow's final session will be impossible.

"There is about three tenths forward and two tenths back to Fisico, and four tenths to make up you have to think about eight tenths, and to do that you need a bit of a shortcut somewhere," Schumacher said.

"It is basically as impossible as Imola unless someone makes a mistake."