Ralph Firman finished a fantastic fourth quickest in today’s qualifying session. It was the Jordan Ford driver’s best  performance this season by a long way. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve witnessed the first qualifying session of the year held entirely in the rain and Ralph, running fifth from last today, was helped slightly by the fact the track was at its wettest in the middle period. This is one reason why Giancarlo Fisichella in the second EJ13 is much further back in 18th slot.
The rain meant this was the first time that the FIA authorised drivers to use the new “extreme weather” tyres, a move prompted by chaotic scenes in the rain lashed Brazilian GP and the Bridgestone runners certainly seemed to have the upper hand on the tricky slippery surface.
The Ferraris were in a class of their own, with Rubens Barrichello posting the fastest time, ahead of team-mate Michael Schumacher. In third spot, just ahead of Firman is the Sauber of Nick Heidfeld, while Fernando Alonso in the Renault and Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren, round off the top six.
Although a few drivers briefly aquaplaned off the track, local hero Jacques Villeneuve was the only driver to boast a complete 360 degree spin. The Canadian narrowly avoiding clonking the inside wall at the final corner and posted the slowest time. He will have the “honour” of being the first out on track in tomorrow afternoon’s grid deciding session.

TESTING
Giancarlo Fisichella 6th      1:17.156  38 laps
Ralph Firman 7th   1:17.426 41 laps

FREE PRACTICE
Ralph Firman  7th  1:17.973 12 laps
Giancarlo Fisichella 17th   1:28.141 11 laps

QUALIFYING

RALPH FIRMAN 4th  1:34.759 
CHASSIS NUMBER EJ13-03
“I had a reasonably good lap and was a little bit luckier with the weather than others were.  The important thing is not to make any big mistakes and the car felt really good on these tyres so hopefully it will keep raining for tomorrow.”

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA 17th  1:38.617  
CHASSIS NUMBER EJ13-04
“Unfortunately I went out at the worst possible moment.  The rain was at its heaviest and so I am in the last few places, along with Trulli who went out around the same time.  I’m not really happy but at least it’s not Saturday, which is the important one.”

GARY ANDERSON
DIRECTOR OF RACE AND TEST ENGINEERING
“Ralph drove a good lap, did well to reap the benefits and I’m pleased for him.  Giancarlo’s lap didn’t go quite so well, he had the heaviest rain when he went out and suffered quite a bit with aquaplaning. Anyway, we’ve got one car at each end of the starting order for tomorrow’s qualifying and as we aren’t sure about the weather prediction, it might just work in our favour!”

The spare car (chassis EJ13-02) is set up for Giancarlo Fisichella.