Imola: A question of strategy?

Ferrari's relatively poor show in the qualifying session for the San Marino Grand Prix was put down to the fact that the Scuderia had opted for the harder of Bridgestone's tyres, where McLaren went for the soft option.

The race-winning strategy at Imola usually involves stopping twice for fuel and tyres as the lower fuel load involved - compared with stopping just once - puts less strain on the brakes, which take a pasting at the Italian circuit. This seems to contradict Ferrari's thinking and, with no mention of a durability issue with the soft tyres - which also seem to work perfectly in the cool conditions - it may be that master tactician Ross Brawn has been out-fumbled for the second race in a row.

According to most pit-lane pundits, unless Ferrari has a miracle plan up its sleeve, today's race might be a chance for McLaren's poleman David Coulthard to record his second consecutive win of the season, after victory in Brazil a fortnight ago. The two teams in question, however, continued to play their cards very close to their chests.

"We went for a more conservative tyre choice in preparation for the race," admitted Brawn, "We will see tomorrow if we or our competitors made the correct decision...."

"We made the right choice on tyres for qualifying," countered McLaren technical director Adrian Newey, "but it remains to be seen whether it was the right choice for the race. The weather may be a factor and, regardless of qualifying position, there will still be opportunities for overtaking at the pit-stops."

Coulthard is currently on 20 points, only six less than Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, and 19 more than team-mate Mika Hakkinen. Coulthard has always maintained he would be stronger than ever this year and his championship aspirations would have to be taken seriously if he did the double.

When told he had finished this race in his grid position for the last three years, however, he was not impressed.

"That's probably put a jinx on it then," he quipped. "but let's hope it holds true one more time."