Michael Schumacher set a stunning time on his final
lap of the session over 0.7 seconds faster than his team-mate Rubens
Barrichello and over 1.2 seconds ahead of Jarno Trulli who was in 3rd place.
Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld made 4th and 5th while Jenson Button in the
second Renault made it into 6th.
Raikkonen, Irvine, Coulthard and Panis make the top 10.
Only 19 cars took part in the session as neither Arrows' car qualified and
Giancarlo Fisichella pulled out after his crash in practice yesterday.
There were no major incidents during the session. Michael
Schumacher covered the most number of laps with 18 followed by Mika Salo and
Ralf Schumacher with 16 laps each. Juan Pablo Montoya covered the least number
of laps with 8.
Track conditions this morning appeared to advantage the
Bridgestone runners. The temperatures (particularly the track) are expected to
be much higher. Also the fuel loads were unknown and a number of drivers may
opt for a 3 stop strategy and hence their faster lap times.
