Mark Webber celebrated the extension of his Jaguar contract by clocking the third fastest time in pre-qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Australian was just behind the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

Schumacher, the five-time Formula One champion was timed in 1 minute 07.908 seconds on the 4.326km A1-Ring. Barrichello in the other Ferrari clocked 1:08.187.

Webber recorded 1:08.512.

"We came here expecting a good and respectable performance," Webber said.

"And I am pleased with our start to this weekend."

The Ferraris are out to amend last year's fiasco.

Many in the racing world were enraged at the arranged finish that gave Schumacher an easy win after Barrichello was told to pull aside after getting pole position and leading much of the race.

Schumacher hardly needed the points - he went on to win 11 of 17 races but he went on to violate F1 protocol by pushing Barrichello to accept the winner's trophy, and Ferrari was fined $US1 million ($A1.56 million).

Schumacher has won the last two races after a rough start this season. He is now second in the driver standings, four points behind Kimi Raikkonen.

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