Schumacher back in third

Michael Schumacher faces a fierce battle for pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix after settling for the third fastest time as practice ended in Barcelona.

Schumacher finished almost 0.2secs adrift of Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who he just pipped for pole at the last race in Imola a fortnight ago.

Barrichello hung onto the top spot he had claimed in penultimate practice earlier but only just as Germany's Nick Heidfeld got within a whisker of his time in his Ferrari-powered Sauber.

Schumacher did briefly drop to fourth fastest as McLaren's David Coulthard posted a quick time near the end of the session.

But Schumacher had time to reclaim third spot although he was unable to match Barrichello's pace.

Coulthard's fellow Brit Jenson Button will also be looking for a decent platform for his bid for a fourth successive points finish after setting the fifth best time in his Renault.

Button was less than half-a-second off Barrichello's pace as he took advantage of the improving track conditions while Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen posted a promising sixth fastest time in his OrangeArrows.

Ralf Schumacher does not look like he will be a threat this weekend as he wound-up 12th fastest having been fourth earlier in the day.

Eddie Irvine and Allan McNish look set for difficult qualifying sessions after finishing practice in 18th and 21st place respectively.