Schumacher was able to carry on and eventually displaced Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello from the top of the time-sheets by a margin on almost 0.3 seconds.

The weather improved for the second session with the rain finally relenting but the drivers continued to struggle in the damp and tricky conditions as Schumacher proved.

Toyota’s Cristiano da Matta had the heaviest shunt as he smacked into the barrier but the Brazilian was unhurt though the session had to be stopped while his damaged car was recovered.

Just about every driver either went off the circuit, drifted too wide or had to cut the chicane as they struggled to maintain their grip on the part street circuit which had been drenched by hours of rain.

But through it all the Ferrari’s have dominated with other Bridgestone-shod teams also having the advantage in the conditions.

Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella got the closest in the final session but he was over 1.8secs down as Schumacher posted an even faster time late on as the track began to dry out in places.

Renault’s Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest with Ralf Schumacher moving into fifth spot late on from Williams just ahead of the BAR of Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve.

Scotland’s David Coulthard, needing a victory to keep his title hopes alive, was seventh in his McLaren with Jenson Button eighth for BAR-Honda.

Jordan’s Ralph Firman was 12th fastest with Justin Wilson two places further back for Minardi.