Brawn Relieved to End Pole Drought

Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn was relieved to see World Champion Michael Schumacher finally scoring the Italian team's first pole position in nearly three months.

"At last!," said Brawn after the German five-time champion clinched his fourth pole position of the season. "It has been a little too long since we had pole position but I also think we can change the other recent trend and win the race from pole."

Schumacher, who had last started from pole at the Spanish Grand Prix in April, had been eclipsed by Williams rival Juan Pablo Montoya in the last five races, where the Colombian had started from the top spot.

On Saturday, Schumacher had to fend off the challenge from another Williams driver, but this time it his own brother Ralf who emerged as the strongest rival. The German brothers delighted their home crowd with an exciting battle that saw Michael moving to the top of the times with a final-minute effort.

"It was a very exciting qualifying" added Brawn. "The car was reasonable and our tyre choice will put us in very good shape for the race. It is a well designed track whereby if a driver does make a mistake he can get back on the track thanks to the run-off areas, so I think that is why we have seen drivers pushing it to the limit this weekend."