Motorsport News

Schumacher happy about pole and Alonso's position

By Elmar Dreher Apr 22, 2006, 14:53 GMT

German Formula One Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher takes a curve during the third practice session at the F1 race track in Imola, Italy, Saturday 22 April 2006. The Grand Prix of San Marino will take place in Imola on tomorrow Sunday 23 April 2006. Schumy took the pole position, a new record for the German driver after the Ayrton Senna record ( 65 pol positions) EPA/DANIEL DAL ZENARO

Imola, Italy - Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari on Saturday took pole position for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix, beating Jenson Button into second place.

The seven-time world champion said that he had always known that his car was good. 'After we took the first two places in the qualifiers for Bahrain, we knew that our car was good. This showed again today and it is particularly satisfying because it is for the San Marino Grand Prix.

'I am an ambassador for San Marino and thus I am particularly pleased to be in pole here.'

Schumacher said it also helped that championship leader Fernando Alonso finished a disappointing fifth. 'To see him down there helps us with our race tactics,' he said.

He clocked 1 minute 22.795 seconds in the third qualifying session on the 4.933-kilometres Autodroma Enzo e Dino Ferrari course in Imola for his 66th career pole-position, breaking Ayrton Senna's record of 65 pole positions in the process.

The German downplayed this feat though. 'Of course it is nice to hold the record, but it means nothing without the race.'

Honda's Button had a time of 1:22.988, with Rubens Barrichello in the second Honda third, while Ferrari's Felipe Massa was fourth.

Button, who took pole for the last race in Australia three weeks ago, said that he was pleased with the qualifying session. 'It went well. The car was handling well and I am pleased that we go something for our effort. It is also a good feeling to have Barrichello up with me.'

The Brazilian, who is a former teammate of Schumacher's at Ferrari said that after having joining the team he needed to get used to the car. 'I have always said that I am not satisfied to play second fiddle. The car performed well and I think we can have a good race.'

The third row on the grid belongs to Alonso and Ralf Schumacher in a Toyota, while the McLaren-Mercedes' of Juan-Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen will start from the fourth row.

Jarno Trulli in the second Toyota and Mark Webber in a Williams will start from 9th and 10th positions.

There was disappointment for Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Renault as he was eliminated from the qualifying session in the second phase after failing to post one of the ten fastest times. He will start from 11th place on the grid.

Alonso leads the 2006 standings with 28 points out of a possible 30, with his teammate Fisichella and McLaren-Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen second on 14, while Schumacher has 11 in fourth place.