Delighted Barrichello Thankful for Rain

Rubens Barrichello pushed World Champion Michael Schumacher aside and handed Ferrari the first pole position of the 2002 Formula One season in Australia.

The Brazilian blasted around Melbourne's Albert Park in 1:25.843, the fastest lap so far recorded at the street circuit, before rain set in and made any improvement impossible.

Barrichello has promised to be "a stone in Michael's shoe" this season but he had luck and a downpour to thank as much as anything as he elbowed team mate Schumacher out of the limelight by just five thousandths of a second. It was the Brazilian's first pole in 30 races and his fourth in almost a decade in Formula One.

"I love the rain, fourth time with bad weather, which for me is good weather," said Barrichello.

"I haven't driven the new car actually so I know the old car more than Michael probably," grinned Barrichello. "So it's good to be racing that car here. This is a very good beginning to the season. I had a strong winter testing, I feel very relaxed and I have changed my approach to my job."

"It's ideal, given the circumstances," said Schumacher of Ferrari's front row sweep. "We have had a very good weekend... all in all, there is no reason to be unhappy. It's going to be an entertaining race tomorrow."

Ferrari, despite using an updated version of last year's F2001, were in a class of their own again. Michael's younger brother Ralf was on the second row in a Williams, ahead of McLaren's David Coulthard.

Young Finn Kimi Raikkonen, replacing compatriot Mika Hakkinen at McLaren, shared the third row with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams as the top three teams from last season again dominated the front rows.