Barrichello Aims for Win Despite Williams Dominance

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello said he could not have gone faster in today's final qualifying for the German Grand Prix, but he is still aiming to win tomorrow's race.

The Ferrari driver finished in third position behind the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher, who dominated the session. Barrichello had started from pole two weeks ago at the British Grand Prix but today finished more than three tenths off Montoya's pace.

The Brazilian, who won last time out at Silverstone, conceded that Montoya and the younger Schumacher would be tough to beat.

"I think we were quite close to pole, but I could not have done any better," the Brazilian said. "The car is a lot better than yesterday and for that I have to thank the engineers and mechanics for all their hard work overnight and this morning. Most of our improvement came in the third sector.

"I hope to make a good start, keep up with the Williams and then we will see who can do consistently good lap times. It might not be looking quite as good as Silverstone, but I am still confident for tomorrow. I am aiming for the top step of the podium."

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, striving to protect his seven-point Championship lead over McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen in a bid to lift a record sixth drivers' crown, could only manage sixth.

"The handling of my car was not ideal this afternoon, so like yesterday, this was not one of my best qualifying runs," said the German. "I lost time in the second sector and things just did not work out the way I would have liked.

"Sixth place is not great for the start,especially with the Williams on the front row. However, from a Championship point of view, Raikkonen is alongside me so that is not too bad. However, we know that our car performs well in terms of consistency over a long run, so we will have to wait and see how things develop. As usual, I will try my best."