Monza, Italy, Sept 13: Champions Ferrari blamed wind and leaves for not being fastest in yesterday's first qualifying for their home Italian grand prix but promised better things to come. Not even a visit from a Milan cardinal could help out the men in red as Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya led the Williams challenge.
Montoya lapped in 1:20:656, ahead of Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello on 1:20:784 and Michael Schumacher on 1:21:268.
''Our drivers made a good start on this the first day of our home race,'' said Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt.
''Even though we have not set the fastest time, we have proved to be competitive...we know we still have work to do.''
Barrichello, who won last year's race at Monza, said weather conditions at Formula One's oldest circuit had proved an additional challenge.
''There was a lot of wind which made the car rather nervous,'' the Brazilian said, '' (but) we are close to our rivals. We have a good starting point.''
Schumacher, aiming for a record sixth championship and defending a single-point lead against Montoya going into tomorrow's race, also said he had laid a solid foundation.
''I'm happy with the time I set - the fact that, once again, I was out first on the track was certainly not an advantage,'' the German said.
Technical director Ross Brawn said: ''Michael suffered a bit because there was some rubbish and leaves on the track when he went out.''
Ferrari are hoping to repeat the one-two achieved at Monza last year and this season the stakes are even higher.
Williams grabbed the top spot from them in the constructors championship at the Hungarian grand prix last month and have an eight point lead with just three races to go.
Bureau Report