Ferrari: [Spoiler] F1 GP of Monaco Initial (and last "first" for 2005) Qualifying Results

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=86896

Ferrari dismay at dismal qualifying

Ferrari struggled in first qualifying at Monaco with Rubens
Barrichello clocking the tenth fastest time and a frustrated Michael
Schumacher running early in the session was just eleventh on a circuit
where qualifying is vital.

"There is not much to say: it was a very disappointing qualifying,"
said team chief Jean Todt. "We are a very long way off the quickest
times, mainly due to a lack of grip. In this modern era of Formula 1,
overtaking is already difficult enough, but on this track it is
virtually impossible, which means that being down towards the back of
the grid is a considerable handicap for the race. Obviously, anything
can happen and we know that, over a race distance, our package is more
competitive than on the single lap. However, tomorrow we face an
uphill struggle, but we will not throw in the towel and will do all we
can to get the most out of this situation."

Rubens Barrichello commented, "I had a good start to my lap, the
balance of the car was reasonable, but the fact I did not make a run
on new tyres this morning meant I did not have a feel for them
straight away. We knew we would be struggling particularly here at
Monaco with our one lap performance - a problem that has been with us
all season. This is not a problem that we can sort overnight, even if
the work we have done has seen us improve by tenths of a second at a
time. But this is not a disaster: I have won with Ferrari in the past,
I have lost with Ferrari in the past and we will win again. I don't
think we can improve much in second qualifying, but we know that in
the race, after fighting for grip on the opening lap, we will have a
strong package."

Michael Schumacher added, "This was definitely not a good session for
us and obviously, I am disappointed. This morning we were only about
0.7 to 0.8 too slow, but this afternoon the gap was much bigger. We
know we are not so good when it comes to our one lap performance and
the fact I went out quite early in the session meant the track was
very slippery and so it was even more of a handicap. Tomorrow's
qualifying will probably be the same situation, with little chance to
improve. However, in race trim the car is much better and we will have
to see what strategy we can come up with to make the most of that
fact. In general terms, we just have to keep working hard to improve."

Ross Brawn concluded, "The track here at Monaco always picks up a lot
more grip as the session goes on and we did not go out at a very good
time. Having said that, we seemed to find even less grip than we had
this morning, which indicates that the other cars running on the track
during our break did not help the situation. Our drivers were
struggling to get grip on the first lap. We do have a very good race
set-up, but it is going to be a difficult afternoon, unless we can
make up a few places in tomorrow morning's qualifying. The drivers are
reasonably happy with the cars which are quite well balanced."