Happy Barrichello Praises Tyre Performance

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello reminded Ferrari of his talents with the fastest lap in a wet and windy first qualifying session for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.

Ferrari were dominant, but it was Barrichello who led the way after being left out when the team announced contract extensions for Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher and key technical staff this week. His time of 1:30.925 bore no comparison with last year's pole of 1:12.836.

Barrichello praised his Bridgestone tyres, only two weeks after Schumacher had openly admitted he wasn't happy with the performance of the Japanese manufacturer's rubber at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"Obviously I am happy with our performance today," admitted the Brazilian. "The car handled very cleanly even with all the water on the track. We had to improvise a bit when it came to the set-up, given that track conditions changed between the morning free practice and the afternoon qualifying.

"The team did a great job, providing me with a very well balanced car. With so much rain, it is obvious that the tyres had a lot to do with today's result."

Schumacher was second quickest, a hefty 1.044 slower than his teammate, after skidding wide at the hairpin on a treacherous surface glistening like an ice rink. Both were fortunate to be among the early runners as conditions deteriorated, the cars pitching and sliding as walls of spray billowed out behind them.

"It was not easy getting used to the track conditions which were so different to this morning's," said Schumacher. "There was a lot of aquaplaning and therefore it was hard to do a time on just one flying lap. In any case, things went pretty well and it was important to ensure we start towards the end of tomorrow's decisive qualifying session.

"I went off on the entry to the hairpin because of a bit of aquaplaning, just when I was braking and so I ended up on the asphalt escape road."