Ferrari Optimistic of Tyre Advantage

Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn believes the Italian team will have a tyre advantage over their Michelin-shod rivals at Sunday's European Grand Prix.

"I think there is still room for improvement on the car, given that they were not perfectly balanced on a light fuel load," said Brawn, whose team use Bridgestone tyres. "The key will be to see how our rivals' tyres last over a distance. From what we saw this morning, we might have an advantage."

World Champion Michael Schumacher finished behind Championship rival Kimi Raikkonen in today's first qualifying session, more than three tenths adrift. Schumacher, chasing his 50th win with Ferrari this weekend, leads the McLaren driver by three points.

"All in all, I am happy with this result," admitted Schumacher. "I did a good lap, being a bit careful in the first sector before going flat out. The time isn't bad and puts us in a good position for tomorrow afternoon's qualifying. We are optimistic about the rest of the weekend.

"Obviously if the weather in the race is similar to what we have seen in the second half of this session, we would not be disappointed! The modifications to the chicane seem to work well, but the question of the bollards needs to be resolved."

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, winner at the Nurburgring's last year, fifth for Ferrari.

"I am very confident for tomorrow," said the Brazilian. "There is still a bit of work to do on the car, but I am optimistic. I had good grip on my lap, but the car was not perfectly balanced and because of this I lost time in the first sector.

"In any case I have managed to get a good position which will allow me to make my qualifying run towards the end of the session."