Ferrari Confident of Competitive Race

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was the quickest of the Ferrari drivers, finishing in seventh place in what was the best qualifying performance by a Ferrari since the Bahrain Grand Prix.

World Champion Michael Schumacher, the winner from pole position at Nurburgring last year, had another disappointing day and will be on the fifth row of the grid in 10th place.

"We had to tackle the usual problem that has been with us for a while now, that's to say the fact we are not totally competitive over the single lap," said team chief Jean Todt.

"We are sure we will be more competitive in the race and now we have to see what strategies the teams have adopted and the answer will come tomorrow afternoon," he added.
 
"What is certain is that, as usual, we will do our utmost to get the best possible result with both cars."

Schumacher, seventh at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, was also confident of a stronger race.

"As usual so far this season, I am looking forward to the race when we should be more competitive than today," Schumacher said. "It is hard for me to predict what we can expect tomorrow, because there have been times over this weekend when things did not look too promising.

"But the same can be said of Monaco and we had great race pace there, so I just plan to push hard and see what happens, trying to pick up as many points as possible."