Head Praises Ralf after 'Excellent' Lap

BMW-Williams technical director Patrick Head praised Ralf Schumacher's efforts in Saturday's qualifying, and jokingly said on Saturday that he was happy that the German and Juan Pablo Montoya missed out on pole position for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

German Schumacher qualified second for his home race behind Ferrari-driving brother Michael with Montoya claiming fourth on the grid behind Rubens Barrichello. Head joked that he was glad both drivers missed out on pole after Colombian Montoya failed to win a race after starting from the head of the grid in the last five Grands Prix.

"It was a very good lap, excellent," Head said of Schumacher who had an intriguing battle with his brother in the qualifying hour at the heavily modified circuit. "In a way, I shouldn't say it, but at the moment with the last five races behind us I'm almost happier not to be on pole really."

And of Montoya, who saw his qualifying run ended, Head added: "It didn't quite work for him but in a way, he was going as fast as possible, but he would rather race from where he is at the moment.

He just went a bit wide on the entry to the stadium on his first run and cooled it down on the later ones, but made a mistake on his last run."

Head is hopeful that an increase in temperatures for Sunday's race will help bring the best out of the team's Michelin tyres.

"We are told it is going to a lot hotter still and we don't know how that will favour the two tyres," he said. "We'll have to wait and see tomorrow."