By Phil Huff (29/05/2003)
May 29 2003

At Monaco - like no other circuit this season - a good qualifying position is absolutely vital, therefore for once the Friday - OK Thursday - qualifying session is being taken seriously too, for today's session determines the running order on Friday. Jenson Button was second quickest this morning, so what can he do today?

At the first split he's just one-tenth slower than Michael Schumacher.

At the second split it's 38s he was still on course for a top three position.

As he crosses the line the Englishman goes third, with a brilliant lap, a time of 1:16.895, and proof that both Button and BAR are beginning to move forward.

Jacques Villeneuve followed, the French-Canadian really fired up. 20.5s at the first split, and he was already way off the pace. At the second split he posts 38.6s - he was down on Webber in ninth. Over the line at 1:18.109 and the BAR driver ends up twelfth, a bad performance or are conditions that bad out there now?

We'll find out on Sunday!