Sutil confident over graining issues

Like many drivers, Sutil felt his tyres, both the softer and the harder compound, were graining too quickly around the streets of the Principality, making the cars very tricky after just a handful of laps.

"The track was very slippery in the morning and it took quite some time to be able to push for a lap time," said Sutil after posting the 13th quickest time.

"The car felt OK, reasonably balanced under the high downforce configuration, but the biggest problem we have at the moment is the rear tyre graining.

"Both the soft and the supersofts seem to be really bad and after even a medium-length run the graining is so bad it really affects the balance of the car. I am confident we can find a solution for qualifying though - the extra day we have will help."

Giancarlo Fisichella, 19th fastest today, admitted he was also suffering from the problems with his tyres, the Italian claiming it was hard to keep the car under control on the straights.

"Not a bad start to the weekend," he said. "We used the morning session to check the set-up and the balance and then completed some longer runs in the afternoon when the track had a bit more rubber laid down.

"Like Adrian I had some issues with tyre graining, particularly in the last five laps of my longer runs, and the car even felt like it was moving around even when going in a straight line. I didn't feel I got the best lap time today and there is certainly more to come."