Montoya Relishes 'Great Battle' for Pole

Juan Pablo Montoya set up a French Grand Prix clash with Ferrari's World Champion Michael Schumacher after storming to a fifth successive pole on Saturday.

The Colombian, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Saturday was also his country's Independence Day, has now put his Williams on pole six times in 11 races and has not been beaten in qualifying since Austria in May.

"Twentieth of July? Yes, it's good," he said when reminded of the significance of the date. "For me the biggest pleasure is to get the fifth pole in such a close fight."

Schumacher, fastest halfway through the session, was just 0.023 slower after struggling to make his flying laps count on a sweltering day in central France.

"We had a great battle together," said Montoya. "It was very close. I had a very good last lap but I made a mistake in the last corner."

The German could claim a record-equalling fifth Championship in Sunday's race with an unprecedented six rounds to spare but he has to beat Montoya and his own Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello by six points.

"We have good battles together, all three of us, so I'm looking forward to having another one out there," said Schumacher.