Schumacher talks up pole chances

qualifying in front of Ferrari's home fans at Imola tomorrow.
The double champion set the fastest time in the first day's practice for
the third round of the world championship in Italy.

And teammate Rubens Barrichello was second quickest as Ferrari annexed the
front row and left McLaren's rivals David Coulthard third and Mika Hakkinen
sixth.

"We can get pole position here, just as it was the case in Australia and
Brazil," said Schumacher

"I am reasonably happy as we have got through all we had planned for today.


"And the signs are good because we had a better first day here than in
either of the first two races - and tomorrow we should be even quicker."

Schumacher was the only driver to break the 1m 27 barrier while teammate
Rubens Barrichello, hunting his first win with Ferrari, was second quickest
nearly four-tenths of a second slower.

Barrichello lost much of the first session with a minor engine problem
after just three laps.

"I think we can fight for pole position even though we have not found the
ideal set-up," he said.

"But all in all I'm happy with what we have got through today."