By Huw Alban
May 13 2006

I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping that Midland F1 could repeat their stunning free practice pace from the Nurgurgring last weekend, but history has shown that this team has always struggled at Barcelona (even as Jordan in 1999) and today was no exception.

Today's practice session has illustrated the fact that all fans perhaps need to adjust their expectations for this weekend.

Midland F1 were straight out at the start of the session, and within 10 minutes were out posting lap times. Initially it looked quite promising with both drivers recording green sector times showing continuous improvement lap by lap.

About half way through the session, most of the other competitors had also shown their hand, and Midland F1 were towards the bottom of the timesheets. We saw this pattern at the Nurgurgring though, and as Christijan Albers took to the track with 26 minutes to go I was really hoping to see him shoot up the order.

Unfortunately it was not to be. Tiago Monteiro got me out of my seat with a 16th fastest time, but with 20 minutes of the session to go it was something of a false dawn. From watching the sector times this morning it is clear that the M16 sets it's fastest time on the first flying lap, and that the team are on the pace in sector 1 but really struggling in sectors 2 and 3.

Midland F1 finished the third and final free practice session in 19th and 21st place.

With regard to qualifying, I think it's time to be realistic and simply hope that Midland can qualify ahead of both the Super Aguris. Thinking ahead to the race, Midlands current run of good reliability is probably their only plus at this time and we just have to hope that a good string of retirements and accidents from other competitors plays into our hands at the finish flag.

Qualifying starts in a little under two hours and we'll be there to follow it.

Full timesheets from the third free practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix

1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:15.658
2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:15.707
3 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:16.057
4 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:16.277
5 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:16.352
6 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:16.399
7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:16.410
8 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:16.595
9 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.660
10 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.705
11 Jenson Button Honda 1:16.999
12 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:17.004
13 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:17.199
14 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:17.240
15 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:17.645
16 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:17.743
17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:17.924
18 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:18.411
19 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:18.747
20 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:18.857
21 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:19.587
22 Franck Montagny Super Aguri-Honda 1:20.031

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