Alonso leads home Renault 1-2 in Chinese qualifying

By Claas Hennig Oct 15, 2005, 12:20 GMT

Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Renault in action during the practice session at the Chinese F1 track near Shanghai, China, Saturday 15 October 2005. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Shanghai - Renault took the initiative in the race for the Formula One constructors' title Saturday when new Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso claimed pole position for Sunday's final race of the 2005 season, the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Alonso, who sealed the drivers' title at the Brazilian GP in September, completed the 5.451-kilometre lap in the fastest time of 1 minute 34.080 seconds.

Team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella was second quickest overall in 1:34.401 minutes to help make the French carmaker favourite to clinch the constructors' championship.

After 18 of 19 races, Renault currently leads on 176 points, two clear of rivals McLaren-Mercedes.

World championship runner-up Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest of the McLaren drivers, qualifying third fastest in 1:34.488 minutes. Jenson Button in a BAR-Honda was fourth with Juan Pablo Montoya fifth fastest in the second McLaren.

'A perfect start for us. We have a good strategy for tomorrow as well,' said the 24-year-old Alonso after clinching his sixth pole position of the season.

Italian Fisichella, who finished second in last weekend's Japanese GP behind Raikkonen, was confident he could repeat the form shown in qualifying.

'We are in a good position. We will do our best,' he said.

Raikkonen made a slight mistake at the beginning of his qualifying lap, which probably cost him a place on the front row but the Finn still reckons McLaren can snatch the constructors' title from Renault.

'The car wasn't exactly perfectly set up but it is strong this weekend,' he said.

'I think we will be very strong in the race so I'm not too worried about it.'

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari qualified sixth behind Montoya, followed by an impressive David Coulthard in a Red Bull and Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari.

Ralf Schumacher in a Toyota and Mark Webber in a BMW-Williams completed the top ten qualifying places.