Ferrari Surprised at Gap to Rivals

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said he was surprised by the gap of the Italian team's drivers in today's qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

"I am a bit surprised at the size of the gap between us and the competition," said Brawn. "Of course, it could be the case that we had taken on less fuel than them. We will therefore have to wait until tomorrow to see where everyone really stands."

World Champion Michael Schumacher started the season where he left off by leading Ferrari to a front row sweep for Sunday's race. Schumacher, winner in Melbourne for the past three years, clocked a fastest lap of 1:27.173 to become the first driver to take pole position under the new single-lap qualifying.

Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, fastest in Friday's opening qualifying, will start alongside him after lapping 0.245 of a second slower on the decisive day. Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, in a Williams, was in third place but nearly a whole second behind Schumacher, who had gone off the track in practice.

"Qualifying went well, but the new timetable makes life tougher for the team, as, after the warm-up you have just 15 minutes to get ready for the qualifying and the race," said Schumacher. "I'm not complaining as it is the same for everyone. From my point of view in the cockpit, it is the same as always with the same level of concentration required.

"My lap was spot on with no margin to push more. It seems to be a tradition that I go off here! Luckily, the run-off area at that corner has been improved for this year and the team was able to repair the car without any problem."

Barrichello, meanwhile, claimed he had lost time due to debris from Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren.

"Today's qualifying was the first time this weekend I have had a problem," said the Brazilian. "I was on a good lap when I saw the oil/debris flags after Turn Six. With the new rules, you are supposed to be alone on the track, so I was not sure what to do and I lost concentration.

"Kimi's car was on the correct side of the track but there were bits of car on the road. I am not complaining, but I could have done a better time. Maybe we need to look at the rules concerning this type of situation."