By Phil Giles
July 4 2003

The F1 grid was today turned totally on it's head with the top honours going to the least financed teams in the sport. Minardi topped the time sheets at Magny-Cours but hot on their heels was Ralph Firmans EJ13.

Qualifying one really sheds no light on actual race day performance as the teams have it all to do tomorrow but on a drying track, Ralph posted the third fastest time securing his highest ever F1 qualifying position.

An excellent result considering that even the acknowledged Rain Meister could only post the 11th fastest time of the day. Admittedly, the times reflected the conditions but Ralph will be the 19th car to take to the rubber laden track tomorrow as Justin Wilson's Minardi was found to be underweight.

"The team made a good call on tyres.  I was trying to be cautious at certain parts of the circuit but it was difficult and I made a big mistake which is frustrating, but it’s great to be third.  It’s my first time here and I need a lot more laps in the dry tomorrow to get the hang of the circuit as it’s quite technical." Said the lad from the Fenn's.

“It was a strange qualifying session." Said Giancarlo (13th).  "We did our best with intermediate tyres when the circuit might still have been a bit too wet.  Today is important but nothing like Saturday so I hope we have more consistent conditions tomorrow, and I wouldn’t mind if it’s still wet.”

Us neither Giancarlo!