Saturday March 11th, 2000

Can Schumacher take the pole?

Scuderia-Ferrari-Marlboro driver Michael Schumacher ended the final free practice session before qualifying practice for the Australian GP in Melbourne with a half second advantage over his main rivals McLaren. However, he was helped by the fact that McLaren's Mika Hakkinen missed most of the session when his engine cut out first lap out of the pits.

Rubens Barrichello took fourth fastest time with the second Ferrari despite a spin, the team's hopes high for a front row position in qualifying, although spiralling track surface temperatures up to 44 degrees at the end of the session could have a major effect of the eventual grid positions. Schumacher's crashed car from Friday was repaired and used as the spare chassis today.

Coulthard still ahead for McLaren

With Hakkinen out for the first half of the session, McLaren then set about an engine change on his car for the second half completing it in 40 minutes which allowed the last 6 minutes of practice . He was on a quick final flying lap after two laps under yellow flags, but a trip across a gravel trap left him in 18th spot. Smoke from Coulthard's engine before the break also saw the mechanics make an engine change, the Scot just failing to make it out again before the end of practice. He had set the second fastest time in the first half however, the higher track temperatures slowing the cars in the last part of the session.

Frentzen up with the front runners

Heinz Harald Frentzen too the third fastest time for Jordan showing for the first time that the team are well on the pace. He tried another quick lap at the end of the session, but like several other drivers he was caught out by the hotter track conditions and the slippery surface on turn 9 where he ran across the gravel trap on one lap and spun the next time around. Jarno Trulli ended up sixth fastest, the Italian not entirely happy with the balance of his car, but still managing his best time on a set of tyres that had already run 40 laps, the older tyres apparently working better than a fresh set in the hot conditions.

Schumacher well up for Williams-BMW

Despite his lack of track time yesterday, Ralf Schumacher was delighted with his Williams handling today setting fifth fastest time. Button was a disappointed 21st after crashing on his fifth lap , badly damaging the left side of his car which the team will be able to repair for qualifying.

Arrows well up the field

Pedro de la Rosa and Jos Verstappen continued to show good form in the Arrows-Supertec taking seventh and eighth positions this morning. Other than a leaking radiator on de la Rosa's car yesterday, the two drivers have enjoyed an almost trouble free practice which bodes well for the race.

Villeneuve hopeful of a top six spot

Although only ninth fastest this morning, Jacques Villeneuve was delighted with the performance of his BAR this morning hoping to score a top six placing in qualifying. Team-mate Zonta was less happy, gearbox problems and a couple of spins putting him back in 20th spot.

In brief...

Johnny Herbert, tenth quickest, had to stop early when his Jaguar's Cosworth engine failed. Irvine was in 12th place not happy with the balance of his car which will probably get a fresh engine for qualifying as well.

Pos  Driver         Team                 Time               
 1.  M.Schumacher   Ferrari              1:30.439           
 2.  Coulthard      McLaren Mercedes     1:30.958   +  0.519
 3.  Frentzen       Jordan Mugen-Honda   1:31.020   +  0.581
 4.  Barrichello    Ferrari              1:31.366   +  0.927
 5.  R.Schumacher   Williams BMW         1:31.602   +  1.163
 6.  Trulli         Jordan Mugen-Honda   1:31.692   +  1.253
 7.  de la Rosa     Arrows Supertec      1:31.898   +  1.459
 8.  Verstappen     Arrows Supertec      1:32.073   +  1.634
 9.  Villeneuve     BAR Honda            1:32.113   +  1.674
10.  Herbert        Jaguar Cosworth      1:32.131   +  1.692
11.  Salo           Sauber Petronas      1:32.260   +  1.821
12.  Irvine         Jaguar Cosworth      1:32.345   +  1.906
13.  Fisichella     Benetton Playlife    1:32.382   +  1.943
14.  Gene           Minardi Fondmetal    1:32.441   +  2.002
15.  Wurz           Benetton Playlife    1:32.654   +  2.215
16.  Diniz          Sauber Petronas      1:32.921   +  2.482
17.  Mazzacane      Minardi Fondmetal    1:33.039   +  2.600
18.  Hakkinen       McLaren Mercedes     1:33.074   +  2.635
19.  Alesi          Prost Peugeot        1:33.287   +  2.848
20.  Zonta          BAR Honda            1:33.674   +  3.235
21.  Button         Williams BMW         1:33.791   +  3.352
22.  Heidfeld       Prost Peugeot        1:33.826   +  3.387

All timing unofficial