For BMW WilliamsF1 driver Mark Webber the opening qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix would see him finish in third position in a session marred by heavy rain just as the final group of drivers were to take to the track. Prior to that the track would dry seeing the times tumble as each driver went out.

Mark was 2.099 seconds behind the Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella. Such are the margins that Mark does not see very much in the way of changes in the order of the grid after the second qualifying session on Sunday and the times are combined.

Mark commented on his qualifying by saying: "It was a very lucky session for us and whoever ran whenever the order it was whoever was going quickest at the time. Giancarlo was on grooves (dry tyres) and Jacques was too, and he is close to us. It was a bonus for us that it rained. The grid will stay relatively close and (tomorrow) if it is dry I can't see people being spread out."

As for his chances come the race he felt that they would find the going difficult against the likes of Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari.

Webber said: "We need to find some more pace, no question about it. I am very confident we can race some of the teams. I think Renault, McLaren and Ferrari are strong, but we can definitely race everyone after that.

"If it is bone dry in the morning I don't think the grid will change a great deal, so it's not too bad. That (third) is a good place for us to start, no question about it."

As for the performance of team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who finished in seventh three seconds slower than Webber, Mark would not really comment only saying that he had made a small mistake that cost him time so the results of the pair could not be compared.

Webber added: "Nick made a small mistake so it is not fair to compare that much."