By Phil Huff (11/10/2003)
October 11 2003

Bridgestone and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Rubens Barrichello have snatched the final pole position of the 2003 FIA Formula One Championship season, highlighting the strength of their championship title challenge tomorrow. Whilst Michael Schumacher, who managed seventh [surely they mean 14th? - BAR-Talk.com] on the grid in his Ferrari due to changing weather conditions, may have hoped for a better start to his drivers' championship showdown tomorrow, the reigning champion and current points leader needs only one point to secure his sixth world championship title. The pair can be expected to be a formidable force at Suzuka in the season finale with Ferrari, who lie three points ahead of Williams, also in the hunt for the constructors' title.

The fight for fifth place in the constructors' title race, meanwhile, will be hotly contested between the Bridgestone runners with BAR's Jenson Button starting ninth on the grid, just one row ahead of Sauber Petronas' Nick Heidfeld and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The Jordan Ford and European Minardi Cosworth teams will be looking for a strong finish to their 2003 season with Jordan also in with a chance of taking fifth place in the constructors' standings.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport, said "I'm delighted to see Rubens on pole today. He did an excellent job in difficult conditions which has encouraged us very much. Unfortunately Michael suffered from the rain but he put in his best effort and he will start from the seventh row which was not bad given that the other two drivers behind couldn't finish their qualifying runs. The other Bridgestone runners will start from the mid field and I expect them to put in a strong performance tomorrow. The weather forecast is for not so hot conditions but we're confident about our chances no matter what the conditions."

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, said "We are very pleased with Rubens' performance, it puts us in a good position for tomorrow. Michael's result was really due to the rain which was badly timed - his time was quite impressive considering how damp it was. The Bridgestone tyres looked very good in these conditions this afternoon. With Rubens on pole and Kimi not so far ahead of Michael I think we could have a good chance of taking both championships."