Ferrari expects a better Saturday
Ferrari was cautious in today's first qualifying session at Suzuka. Like Williams, the Italian team is confident it can do better tomorrow. Michael Schumacher got third-best time whilst Rubens Barrichello lost out with a small mistake at the re-profiled chicane and ended seventh
"We adopted a rather cautious approach to this qualifying," said technical director Ross Brawn. "I think we can expect to be pretty competitive tomorrow. The drivers are happy with the balance of their cars."
Both Brawn and team principal Jean Todt mentioned that tyre choice would be the crucial factor this weekend, and that the morning sessions on Saturday would be the last chance for the team to experiment with race compounds. Ferrari have not yet decided which Bridgestone to use for qualifying and the race.
Michael Schumacher was pleased to be ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, the only man who could catch him in the championship, and confident he'll go better tomorrow, when he will run third-last in qualifying.
"I am happy with the handling of the car," said Schumacher. "Going out first was a slight disadvantage once again. But the top runners are very close. Tomorrow's fight for pole will be good fun."
Barrichello said he lost about three-tenths with his error: "It's a shame about my mistake at the chicane. I came in a bit too quick and had to brake very hard. The braking area was a bit longer on the old layout! But I think the turns are more fun now. They flow better."
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