Ralf survives fuel scrutineering scare

There were fears that Schumacher would be thrown to the back of the grid after his car failed a fuel test following his second place in qualifying, just three tenths of a second behind his brother Michael.

Officials said a first test showed the fuel was not the same as those approved for use by the FIA.

But after hearing from the FIA technical delegate, the FIA Fuel Analyst and the team, they agreed that one more sample would be analysed.

Darkness had descended on the Interlagos circuit before the final verdict was announced.

"After examining the results of this further analysis the Stewards are now satisfied that the fuel used during qualifying was one approved for use by the Competitor," the FIA said in an official statement five hours after the session finished.

Schumacher will start second on the grid alongside world champion Michael and make championship history as the first brothers to start side by side on the front row in the sport's 50-year history.

"It's a very emotional moment for me," said Michael Schumacher. "It is something special to have your brother alongside you on the grid."