Disappointed Schumacher Relying on Strategy

World Champion Michael Schumacher was disappointed after qualifying in a poor eighth position for tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Schumacher, Ferrari's overall leader and five times World Champion, endured his worst qualifying of the season with eighth place at a circuit where he clinched the title in 2001.

He starts alongside McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen. Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, Schumacher's closest title rival who needs to beat the German by seven points to secure the overall lead, starts on the second row alongside Jaguar's Australian Mark Webber.

Schumacher has 71 points, Montoya 65, Raikkonen 62 and Ralf 53 with three races remaining after Hungary in one of the closest Championships in years.

"It didn't work out very well today. I assume I was trying too hard to do too much and that's why it didn't work out," said Schumacher. "Obviously, I am a bit disappointed, because this morning and in the warm-up, I seemed to be on the same pace as the others and the car felt good.

"Now we have to try and understand why our qualifying time did not match our expectations. The outcome of the race will now depend on strategy, which is always the key factor at this circuit and the Scuderia has usually done a good job on this front. Anything can happen tomorrow afternoon, so now all we can do is look ahead."

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, last year's winner in Hungary in the second Ferrari, starts in the third row as the highest placed driver on Bridgestone tyres. In an unprecedented streak, Schumacher was outqualified by his teammate for the third time in a row.

"It was a rather difficult qualifying session and it was surprising to see Alonso and Webber so quick," said Barrichello. "I am happy with my own lap, as it was the best I could do, especially as I had a bit of understeer at the end of the lap.

"I am quite hopeful that our tyre choice will be good for the race tomorrow. Given how dirty the track is here off the racing line, I think that fifth place might actually be better than fourth for the start."