Saturday March 25th, 2000

By Mary Milliken

Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello's hopes of a pole position in his home country's Grand Prix evaporated on Saturday after falling advertising hoardings disrupted the final qualifying session.

The 27-year-old Ferrari driver, who grew up in the shadow of the hilly Interlagos circuit, criticised organisers after the signs crashed down on the track three times -- the last one on top of Prost driver Jean Alesi's car.

Barrichello had to settle for fourth position on the starting grid for Sunday's race behind the two McLarens and alongside team mate Michael Schumacher.

"I had bad luck," said Barrichello. "I only managed to complete two fast laps and when I was in my fastest lap the third placard fell in the straight and the session stopped.

"I ended up paying," he added. "It is unbelievable that these problems were not resolved during the week."

But "Rubinho", as the local fans call him, saw a bright side to the session after the rain began to fall 15 minutes from the end.

"It was enough to see that the asphalt remains smooth and my car ran well in the wet. I am happy with whatever weather, but I get the feeling the fans want it to rain. We'll see if God's will is the same as that of the people."

Barrichello will be aiming for his first ever win in his eight seasons in Formula One while hometown fans are hoping for the first Brazilian victory since the late Ayrton Senna won in 1993.

There were mixed fortunes in Saturday's qualifying for the other two Brazilian drivers.

BAR's Ricardo Zonta was elated with his eighth position on the grid, in front of team mate and former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

But there was disappointment for Pedro Diniz whose Sauber team withdrew from the race because of defective rear wings.