20 minutes into the session and it is all go as the vast majority of cars take to the track almost at the same time. Barrichello is in amongst those to go for a first lap of the track. Kimi Raikkonen is the first to put in a quick lap with a 1 minute 44.741 seconds to move into provisional pole. Barrichello puts in a 1.45.496 but everyone seems very slow in the middle sector compared to Raikkonen, perhaps some rain falling?

Once the track clears up a little of traffic Michael Schumacher finally takes to the track with just 35 minutes of the session to go the German will be hoping that rain is not falling on the track or his gamble might not have paid off. But the champion is showing no problems and is flying round smashing the splits of Kimi and crosses the line with a fantastic lap of 1.43.994. Rubens Barrichello is now under pressure as he has dropped down to fifth and on his second run he makes up more time with a 1.44.489 and goes up to third place for the time being.

Michael’s second run had to be aborted as Fisichella goes off and brings out the yellow flags, annoyingly for Schumacher he is once again called into the weigh-bridge bay for another scrutinising check of his F2002. Once the Jordan is removed from the track Michael is once again leaving the pitlane as do the two McLaren’s with just 15 minutes to go in the session. Barrichello is also out and both the Ferrari’s are raising the pace once more early in their laps. And Schumacher improves his time to a 1.43.726 and surely secures the pole position. Barrichello improves on his time but still remains in third with a 1.44.335.

Four minutes to go and Barrichello leaves the pits once again for him final stab at improving his time. Schumacher sits on the pole quite comfortably and has only set two timed runs to do so. But it was no good for Rubens who caught traffic on his final run, the Minardi of Davidson costing him plenty of time and leaving him no chance of improving on his position. Schumacher was out also in the closing stages but was not needing to improve on his time and returned to the pit lane having claimed his first ever pole at Spa.

So a very good session for Ferrari with Michael using good use of this track time to take the pole position. With pole secured and Barrichello up in third it looks like a strong race for Ferrari tomorrow. Raikkonen is a surprise in second but the Michelin tyres do not look to be consistent in racing trim.

Full Times

1. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1'43"726 241.837 Km/h
2. RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes 1'44"150 + 0'00"424
3. BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1'44"335 + 0'00"609
4. R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW 1'44"348 + 0'00"622
5. MONTOYA Williams BMW 1'44"634 + 0'00"908
6. COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes 1'44"759 + 0'01"033
7. TRULLI Renault 1'45"386 + 0'01"660
8. IRVINE Jaguar Cosworth 1'45"865 + 0'02"139
9. SALO Toyota 1'45"880 + 0'02"154
10. BUTTON Renault 1'45"972 + 0'02"246
11. DE LA ROSA Jaguar Cosworth 1'46"056 + 0'02"330
12. VILLENEUVE BAR Honda 1'46"403 + 0'02"677
13. MCNISH Toyota 1'46"485 + 0'02"759
14. FISICHELLA Jordan Honda 1'46"508 + 0'02"782
15. PANIS BAR Honda 1'46"553 + 0'02"827
16. SATO Jordan Honda 1'46"875 + 0'03"149
17. MASSA Sauber Petronas 1'46"896 + 0'03"170
18. HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas 1'47"272 + 0'03"546
19. WEBBER Minardi Asiatech 1'47"562 + 0'03"836
20. DAVIDSON Minardi Asiatech 1'48"170 + 0'04"444