Shanghai, 30th September 2006

The rain washed out Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's chances of good grid positions for tomorrow's sixteenth round of the Formula 1 World Championship. Overcast skies finally delivered their promise just in time for the two o'clock start to the session. Unfortunately, the tyres used by Ferrari did not suit the wet track conditions as well as those of our strongest rivals. In fact, Michael Schumacher's performance in wrestling his 248 F1 onto the third row of the grid in sixth place is possibly one of his most impressive Saturday afternoon performances we have witnessed for a long time. Several cars flew off the track in the treacherous conditions and Felipe Massa bravely fought the conditions to post the 13th fastest time, which meant he did not qualify for the final part of the session.



However, as a result of the engine change made on his car between yesterday's two sessions, the Brazilian takes a ten place penalty which means he therefore will start from the back of the grid. With the Prancing Horse handicapped by the conditions, Renault was able to get a clean shot at the front row, with pole position going to reigning world champion Fernando Alonso and second place to Giancarlo Fisichella, who survived a very long slide across the gravel trap on his way to the front of the grid. Row Two is also the property of just one team with the Hondas of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button, while Michael has his 2007 replacement, Kimi Raikkonen just ahead of him on Row Three. While the skies are still dark above the Shanghai International Circuit, there is a ray of light for tomorrow in that the forecast is for only a very slight chance of rain at the time the race is on. In dry conditions the 248 F1 has been comfortably quick and in the past, we have seen both our drivers capable of making up ground from poor grid positions, even if overtaking is not the easiest of operations on this demanding track.