New Ferrari reigns in Spain

FRIDAY QUALIFYING

1. M Schumacher: 1:17.130
2. Trulli: 1:17.149
3. Barrichello: 1:17.218

Friday qualifying times in full

Ferrari answered any lingering doubts about their new car with a dominant display in Friday qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Defending world champion Michael Schumacher went fastest in a lightning-quick time of one minute 17.130 seconds.

And his team-mate Rubens Barrichello clocked the third-fastest time of the session at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

Only Renault's Jarno Trulli had an answer for the new-look F2003-GA, posting a brilliant 1:17.149 to eclipse Barrichello.

But it later transpired that the Brazilian Ferrari driver had reported a minor technical problem during his lap.

Toyota's Cristiano da Matta pulled off the shock of the session, qualifying fourth in 1:17.443.

We are very happy to have the new car finally here - we look forward to making it another winner

Michael Schumacher

And BAR driver Jenson Button and Toyota's Olivier Panis rounded out the top six.

While the new-model Ferrari impressed, the session was disappointing for its closest rivals McLaren and Williams.

Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen and his McLaren team-mate David Coulthard went eighth and ninth fastest.

And, despite setting the pace during free practice, Williams' Ralf Schumacher could only manage 11th spot, with his team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya down in 14th place.

Pizzonia gloom deepens

Meanwhile, another top-10 qualification display by Australian rookie Mark Webber piled the pressure on fellow Jaguar driver Antonio Pizzonia.

The under-fire Brazilian finished respectably in 13th position, but he may still have much to do to convince his employers to keep him on as rumours of a driver change persist.

Pizzonia did himself no favours during a two-hour private test, when he collided with one of his Jaguar mechanics.