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Spanish Grand Prix 1st-4th May - Tony Moffett Qualifying 2 Report

Length: 4.730 km
Number of Laps: 65 (307.323 Km)
Best Lap: R. Barrichello - 1'20''143 (2003, Ferrari)
Record Pole: M. Schumacher - 1'16''364 (2002, Ferrari)
2002 Pole: M. Schum (1'16"364)
2002 Podium: M. Schumacher - JP. Montoya - D. Coulthard


The new Ferrari F2003-GA preformed in the best possible way for both Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello during today’s qualifying session. The Ferrari duo claimed the top 2 positions for tomorrow’s GP of Spain as Schumacher claimed his 54th pole position by setting a time of 1m17.762s. Teammate Barrichello clocked in a time of 1m18.020s just .258s slower than Michael. The sadness of the last GP was overshadowed by the delight shown by the Ferrari drivers and team with these results.

Renault impressed with Alonso and Trulli taking the 2nd row for them selves. The Spanish driver enjoyed the support of the partisan crowd and deserved it, in my opinion. The Renault team has handling under control, and with some additional horsepower this car will present an even more serious challenge to the top teams.

A sharp contrast to these teams luck was evidenced by Kimi Raikkonen who got it all wrong as he attempted to qualify and went off course destroying his lap, but thankfully not his car. He went immediately to the garage without posting a time.This will put him at the rear of the field and will challenge him quite completely to move to the front and keep his points lead as large as it is now. England’s Jenson Button again ran quicker than teammate Villeneuve to claim the 5th grid spot. An equally impressive qualification was done by Olivia Panis in the Toyota with a 6th position. Ralf Schumacher fought an ill handling FW-25 to take 7th spot with David Coulthard in the McLaren in 8th.

The 2nd Williams driven by Juan Pablo Montoya will start from 9th followed by German Heinz-Harold Frentzen, 10th in the Sauber. Villeneuve in the 2nd BAR grids from 11th and Australia’s Mark Webber in the Jaguar starts from 12th a bit farther back than he had been practicing and pre qualifying. 13th spot goes to Cristiano Da Matta in the 2nd Toyota with Nick Heidfeld 14th in the other Sauber. Ralph Firman out qualified his more experienced teammate in the Jordan by taking the 15th spot ahead of Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia in the 2nd Jaguar in 16th .

Giancarlo Fisichella in the Jordan had problems during his qualifying lap and starts from 17th spot. Justin Wilson out ran his teammate by qualifying his Minardi in 18th spot with Verstappen 19th in the 2nd Minardi with a time of 1m22.237s. As mentioned previously Kimi Raikkonen will start 20th not having posted a time.

Weather is forecast to remain good and the debut of the Ferrari F2003-GA looks very promising. The debut of the Williams FW-25 isn’t looking as well.

Article by: Tony Moffett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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