Montoya Sets Fastest Lap Ever; Barrichello Fastest Pole

Formula One cars have indeed become faster than ever.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya clocked the fastest lap in Formula One history at the Italian Grand Prix today, with no less than five of the fastest F1 laps ever recorded so far this weekend.

The Williams driver, who also held the previous record from two years ago, lapped Monza at an average speed of 262.242 km/h in pre-qualifying for the final European race of the season.

Ferrari's Brazilian Rubens Barrichello claimed the fastest ever pole position with an average speed of 260.395 km/h over his final qualifying lap.

But Barrichello's lap is now the fifth fastest ever lap - Montoya's teammate Antonio Pizzonia recorded the second-fastest lap in pre-qualifying (261.761 km/h), while BAR's Takuma Sato recorded the third fastest (261.557 km/h) and Jenson Button the fourth fastest (261.155 km/h). Both BAR drivers recorded these laps during pre-qualifying

Montoya's previous best, set when he took pole position at Monza in 2002, averaged 259.827 km/h. That lap remains the sixth fastest lap ever in Formula One history.

With new regulations to slow the cars down due to be introduced for safety's sake next season, Montoya's and Barrichello's records could last for some time.

Until 2002, the fastest lap had been unmatched for 17 years - Finland's Keke Rosberg lapping at an average speed of 258.982 km/h in a Williams in qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1985.

Rosberg's 19-year old lap, however, remains the 12th fastest F1 lap ever.