Q: Fernando, quickest yesterday, quickest today, it is looking very, very positive for you.
Fernando ALONSO: Yeah. Obviously, today has been a difficult qualifying for everyone, first lap of the day, very windy conditions, stronger than yesterday and the track was also maybe a little bit dirty, so it was a good lap. I tried not to make any mistakes. That was the biggest worry I had before qualifying, and you know the lap was quite okay. Not a fantastic lap but obviously very quick. Probably our strongest point, as I said yesterday, is the race and the long runs, not the qualifying lap, so if we finish on pole it is looking good for the race.

Q: The race only a few hours away, what are your thoughts on this race – the heat, the dust, the rubber that will be going down in the race…
FA: Yeah, this particular Grand Prix here in Bahrain, especially the first laps, will be very different to the last ones because the track will be in much better condition, but at the same time the tyres will be very hot, so with this windy conditions we have had today and yesterday we have to be very careful, especially at the end of the race, not to make any mistakes. It is a track that is difficult to gain time in the corners and very easy to make mistakes so we really have to concentrate here.

Q: Michael, a spectacular looking lap there, a bit of a moment just coming out of the first sector and then a great lap there to be on the front row…
Michael SCHUMACHER: Yeah, we honestly have to say that the car handles really great under heavy fuel condition, we saw this during testing and I am pleased on this. A little bit of a moment in turn four, probably a bit dirty or windy conditions, whatever, but I guess it didn’t cost me too much anyway – it wasn’t enough to cost me pole – so I am pretty happy to be on the front row and I look forward to the race.

Q: An emotional day for Ferrari today with the passing of the Pope, can you talk about the emotions in the team?
MS: Yeah, the atmosphere in the team is very strange to all of us, as I mentioned to Jarno just before, and obviously Germans, Italians they feel very connected to the Pope, as many other countries do, and it is, um, you can’t really explain the words in terms of emotions and feelings that are going on around the team, particularly as we had the visit with the Pope earlier this year and, yes, it is very sad for us.

Q: Jarno, up there again, you wanted to be back here again and here you are.
Jarno TRULLI: Yeah, I am very pleased, for me and for the team, once again to be in the top three. I lost a position to Michael, today, to be honest, it was not a great lap, I suffered with a bit of understeer and you never know when you hit the track on Sunday morning because the track may be green, it was a bit windy, but anyway I am satisfied and I am looking forward to the race.

Q: You put in a very strong and consistent race in Malaysia, what are your thoughts on the race and the conditions here?
JT: I think the situation is slightly harder for us, but anyway we looked not too bad on a long run over the past few days, even if I feel are less competitive than we were in Malaysia.

2005 Bahrain Grand Prix - Main Page