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Ferrari continue to dominate. Story by Shane O' Donoghue - 17 March 2001. Michael Schumacher stole his little brother's rattle in the early hours this morning to capture his 6th pole position on the trot. It really did look as if Ralf would put the very quick BMW-Williams in P1, but Ferrari managed to pull it out of the bag in the closing minutes of the usual hour long session. Rubens Barrichello also managed to pip Ralf at the post, with a final run only 0.099 seconds slower than Michael. His grin in the press conference was well-deserved. McLaren, not in the top three. Tragedy for sure for the British team? Schumacher (senior) didn't think so. Hakkinen managed to claw back 4th place on the grid and Michael still considers him to be a threat. Coulthard languished outside the top ten. A poor show indeed. So, what about those BMWs? Well, Ralf played down their threat to Ferrari, and even McLaren on race day. He honestly admitted that the Michelin tyres he is running are an unknown in a full race distance at the humid Malaysian circuit. The car, however, is superb. As is the new BMW engine - helping to record the highest top speed of any car on the circuit. Ralf's team mate, the much-hyped Juan Pablo Montoya managed 6th on the grid, which is not bad as this is his first time at the circuit. Will he get a chance to shine before Ralf manages to make the big-time? Further down the order, Jordan disapponted after strong runs in practise. Trulli did manage a good 5th place, right behind Ralf on the grid, but Frentzen struggled, and finished the session with 9th place, his only consolation being that Olivier Panis, in the rival BAR was behind him. The competition between the two Honda-engined outfits is certainly going to make things entertaining in the race. Hopefully the Irish team do not go too mad today (St. Patrick's Day)...
Final grid positions |