Motorsport
Schumacher leads qualifying and is centre of controversy
By DPA
May 27, 2006, 14:16 GMT

Monte Carlo - Michael Schumacher captured the pole position for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix ahead of world championship rival Fernando Alonso in controversial fashion on Saturday.

The Ferrari driver Schumacher got the 67th pole of his career in 1 minute 13.898 seconds on the narrow and twisting 3.340-kilometres course in the principality.

Alonso clocked 1:13.962 minutes in his final lap with Schumacher partly blocking the course shortly before the finish. Mark Webber was third in a Williams in 1:14.140 minutes.

Race stewards said they will investigate the case and the boss of Alonso's Renault team, Flavio Briatore, claimed Schumacher deliberately stopped the car there.

The world champion Alonso leads the world championship with 54 points from six races ahead of Schumacher, who has 39.