Bridgestone Predicts Better Showing in the Race

Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone are confident of being able to outperform their Michelin rivals in tomorrow's race after the French manufacturer dominated Saturday's qualifying.

Michelin runners Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher completed the first all-Williams front row of the season, outqualifying the Bridgestone-shod Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

But having opted for the harder compound for the race, Bridgestone's technical manager Hisao Suganuma is confident Ferrari driver Schumacher will be able to revert the situation in the race on Sunday.

"Obviously it's disappointing that we don't have a car on the front row, however it was very close and I think it is clear that Michael certainly had the potential to do better," said Suganuma. "I am confident for the race because the choices our teams have made will make a difference in tomorrow's race.

"There are some strange gaps between teammates in the time sheets today so I hope we will see a number of them pushing up through field. From the practice sessions, we know that our tyres are consistent and have the capability to cope with what ever strategy the teams select."

Michelin runners occupied seven of the top ten qualifying positions, while only the Ferraris and Sauber's Nick Heidfeld could qualify in the first five rows for Bridgestone.