An action-packed qualifying session was red-flagged after Trulli spun on his own oil after suffering engine failure. Barrichello managed to outqualify both the Schumacher brothers with Ralf just pipping Michael for second place on the front row of the grid.

Technical: No technical changes to cars for today.

Sporting: Barrichello took fifth pole of his F1 career, despite being forced into the gravel at the Remuskurve by Salo's Toyota at the end of the session. Earlier he had also flown off the track at the Rindtkurve on oil dropped by Trulli's Renault. Schumacher reported that he was losing time everywhere and he switched to the spare car which was only slightly better, but not quick enough to get him on the front row.

Quotes: Schumacher: "Twice I was held up by other cars but I can't explain specifically where I was losing time."

Technical: No technical changes to cars for today.

Sporting: Schumacher admitted that he slightly surprised himself by getting onto the front row, saying that the team had maximised their technical package and the rising temperatures helped the Michelins. Montoya aborted his first run due to a misfire, then switched to the spare FW24 which was set up for Ralf and the set-up could not be completely changed to Montoya's liking. He then suffered an electrical problem and after that was resolved he did a single run to set his first time then made some minor tyre pressure adjustments before setting his best time on his last run.

Quotes: Montoya: "Under the circumstances I have to say that I'm quite satisfied with fourth on the grid."

Technical: Qualifying spec Petronas V10s available today.

Sporting: Heidfeld frustrated after being held up by Button on his fourth lap when the Englishman was on his out lap, Nick believing that it might have been possible to get on the front row. Massa admitted he made a mistake on his first run and made another minor error on his last run

Quotes: Massa: "The balance of the car was neutral in all but the really high speed corners, and I jerked the steering wheel just a little bit too much and got some oversteer that cost me time."

Technical: No technical changes on cars today.

Sporting: Routine session with Raikkonen going ahead of Coulthard on his final run. No technical problems, just overall lack of speed.

Quotes: Ron Dennis: "I'm not particularly surprised at the outcome of today's session. It still reflects areas of the car's performance in which we still have to work to make improvements."

Technical: No technical changes on the cars today.

Sporting: Panis pretty confident and satisfied with the prospect of challenging for championship points in the race. Villeneuve uncomfortable with the car and unable to get the right set-up for a quick lap.

Quotes: Panis: "I hope we can have a reliable race tomorrow. I was very upset with de la Rosa who blocked me on my last run."

Technical: No technical changes to the cars today.

Sporting: Salo very satisfied although he admitted to a small mistake under braking for the Remuskurve which put Barrichello into the gravel trap. He had a touch of understeer while McNish had a consistent and encouraging session.

Quotes: Salo: "It was a good session but I am sorry for Rubens."

Technical: No technical changes to the cars today.

Sporting: Frentzen spun on Trulli's oil, ripping off a bargeboard and sundry other components. Car repaired during red flag session and handling much improved by the end of session. Apologised for blocking team-mate Bernoldi at the end of the session. The Brazilian happy with his car's handling balance.

Quotes: Frentzen: "I lost my rhythm slightly after the spin, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Technical: No technical changes to the cars today.

Sporting: Button extremely disappointed, reporting that the car was not so good from the start of practice and his final run was spoiled by traffic. Trulli suffered a major engine failure and spun, triggering the red flag, and he switched to the T-car which had been his former race chassis and was set-up for Button anyway.

Quotes: Trulli: "A frustrating day in which not much went right."

Technical: No technical changes to the cars today.

Sporting: Fisichella had a fresh engine installed prior to the session and he found the best set-up compromise was to use scrubbed front tyres and new rear tyres. He then flat-spotted a front tyre on an early run and switched to new fronts thereafter. Frustrated towards the end by being held up by Frentzen. Sato struggled with handling balance throughout.

Quotes: Sato: "There is a lot of work for us to do on set-up in tomorrow's warm-up."

Technical: No technical changes to the cars today.

Sporting: De la Rosa had a rear suspension problem caused by the exhaust overheating its components while Irvine lost a nose wing against the rear of Bernoldi's Arrows.

Quotes: Niki Lauda: "We expected a tough race this weekend and while we could probably have done a little better today, I don't think we could have expected much different."

Technical: No technical changes for today.

Sporting: Yoong spun on his out lap, otherwise both cars had trouble-free runs although struggling on this high speed circuit.