Delighted Schumacher Aiming to Win at Home

World Champion Michael Schumacher is confident of scoring his ninth win of the 2002 season after beating his brother Ralf to pole position for Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Michael, who won a record-equalling fifth Formula One title in France last weekend, acknowledged the adulation of the crowd after pushing Ralf aside a minute from the end of the hour-long session.

His time was enough for a first pole since Spain in April and ended Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya's run of five in a row.

"All in all, that was my dream to have a pole position here in Hockenheim and hopefully a win as well," said Schumacher. "I'm sure the other two guys next to me will not agree but we will try and I think we have a good possibility from where we are now."

Williams driver Ralf, winner at the old Hockenheim circuit last year, had earlier looked likely to claim only the second pole of his career with a run of 1:14.570 but had to settle for his second front row start of the season.

Michael, winner of eight out of eleven races so far in 2002, has only won his home Grand Prix once - back in 1995 with Benetton - and is looking to repeat the feat again on Sunday with the team who have allowed him to win three straight titles.

"Yes, especially together with Ferrari, because we haven't won together at all down here in Hockenheim and it would be nice if it works out tomorrow," he said. "But there is a long race to go, we'll try everything, we'll see what happens."

Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello missed out on the front row, having to settle for third place ahead of Colombian Montoya.