DC ends eight-month pole drought

DC built on his victory two weeks ago in Brazil as he headed team mate Mika Hakkinen and Williams-BMW's Ralf Schumacher in second and third.

Afterwards Coulthard quipped that it was down to his dramatic new sunglasses as the sun broke out on a chilly Imola afternoon.

"I'm putting it down to the glasses," he said with a smile. "Mika wore blue ones last time and they worked for him."

Then he joked: "I am disappointed for all the Ferrari supporters and I will try not to do it again."

Just like tens of thousands of tifosi dressed in red and carrying massive Ferrari flags, world champion Michael Schumacher could only look at the time screens in puzzlement as he ended the session on Ferrari's home asphalt in fourth position and saw his record attempt fail.

The German would have equalled the late Ayrton Senna's 12-year-old record had he headed the times for the eighth race in succession.

The run began last September at Italy's other Formula 1 circuit, Monza. But just as he had been in Sao Paulo a fortnight ago, the Scot proved to be his nemesis.

Schumacher had topped the times until 13 minutes from the end, but in a furious final few minutes, he was demoted by Hakkinen, Jarno Trulli's Jordan and then his own brother Ralf Schumacher as well.

Coulthard took pole with his final lap and despite the fact that his car was re-built overnight after Friday problems which saw his McLaren still up on the jacks when qualifying started.

"We had some problems and it took a while to get the car sorted for the start," he said. "The guys worked until 4am last night building another car and they did a great job. I am surprised but delighted to get pole position."

He shattered last year's pole by 1.66s.

"The first time I drove the car this morning it didn't feel that comfortable. And I was changing the car's set-up right up to the end of the session," added the Scot.

"It is significant Mika and I have the front row. It shows we are taking a lap forward on a single lap.

"I said after the lap on the radio that I thought it wasn't good enough. It didn't feel eventful enough to know I was on the limit.

"I'm not sure it was the perfect lap, but it was good enough," he added. "It was a bit of a journey into unknown because I knew I had to go deeper into the corner to set a better time but I was already on the limit of the car."

The last time he was on pole was at the German Grand Prix last July, prior to a controversial race which Rubens Barrichello went on to win.

For full qualifying results click here.