Just what the Doctor Ordered

Qualifying analysis, by Michele Lupini

We predicted a closer race in San Marino, and it appears that may just be what we're going to get...

Although the front row's familiar silver, the McLarens a hair's breadth apart, in their now almost customary order – Mika from David - they're just a similarly tiny distance ahead of their biggest worry, Michael Schumacher. And it doesn't end there either.

Eddie Irvine's last sector on his fastest laps each time let him down. Otherwise he too, would have been among the two or so tenths that separate the top three. And in fifth, a position as many will find a surprise as will be those who're relieved, is Jacques Villeneuve, the BAR finally showing it's considerably plentiful true colours, from the revelation of the season so far, Rubens Barrichello and the Stewart Ford.

Next up, and in a significant position, considering his race performances this year, is the danger man in the championship, Heinz-Harald Frentzen. He leads the Jordan Honda duo with team-mate Hill seventh, ahead of the other consistant man so far this season, Ralf Schumacher in the Williams, and his team mate, Alex Zanardi showing form at last, in tenth.

Of the rest, Panis recovered from an engine failure to end eleventh, from Herbert, Alesi, Trulli and Diniz, with the Benettons way off in 16th and 17th. De la Rosa put one over a struggling Salo, while Takagi, Gene and Badoer bring up the rear.

So, the McLarens made another clean sweep of qualifying. But they can't be too happy with the grid behind them. For not only is Michael Schumacher breathing down their necks in a very close and dangerous third, but championship leader Irvine proved he's right there. And the other man who can really be a thorn in their side when the race is on, one J. Villeneuve, is way too close for comfort – perhaps as close as he's been since his World Championship swan song.

Then there's Stewart's promise of reliability, underwritten by Rubens' sixth, both Jordans and both Williamses, all relatively close to the qualifying pace for once.

With a little luck, the San Marino GP could be just what the doctor ordered – a close race. Wouldn't that just be great!