Schumacher Blames Early Start for Poor Showing

World Champion Michael Schumacher remained confident of his chances at this weekend's United States Grand Prix after blaming his poor Friday qualifying performance on his early running slot.

Schumacher went out first by virtue of being the Championship leader but claimed he was disadvantaged more than normal because the track had been "washed" by early morning rain.

"This was another one of those qualifying sessions when rain in the morning before the session made it quite green and dusty on the circuit," complained Schumacher. "It was pretty slippery for the first cars out."

Schumacher finished the session in eighth place with Championship rivals Juan Pablo Montoya fifth and Kimi Raikkonen ninth and he added: "I'm still eighth and it is not such a bad situation for the team."

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn backed his five-time World Champion driver and warned that early perceptions of Ferrari and Bridgestone's lack of form at Indianapolis could be mistaken.

Brawn said that Schumacher had to "find his way a little more than the others" because he was first on the track and by the time the eighth car of eventual fastest man Jarno Trulli came out the track had more grip.

"The conditions were changing by the minute," said Brawn. "I think Michael was at a disadvantage being the first driver on the circuit when it was still green and difficult."