Schumacher blames Panis and Diniz for second place

The double champion had dominated much of the hour-long session but was bumped down to second in the final seconds by arch-rival Mika Hakkinen.

Afterwards he slated Panis for blocking him on his third of four qualifying runs; the Frenchman was blamed by McLaren for losing David Coulthard the race at Imola two weeks ago.

'It should have been my fastest but I couldn't finish it because Panis was in my way,' he said.

'It was a bit of a nonsense because he had space to move over and drive on afterwards.

'There is a rule drivers and teams have to respect the blue flag. If they don't do that Max Mosley [FIA president] should seek penalties.

'The issue is on the agenda for the pre-race briefing on Sunday morning.

'If it isn't mentioned at the pre-race driver's briefing I will mention it myself,' said Schumacher.

'Slowing other drivers when you are being lapped is not right.

Diniz also faced Schumacher's wrath as the German waved wildly from the cockpit after finally getting past.

'I was behind Pedro four times: twice he was on a normal run and you cannot ask him to slow down for me,' said Schumacher.

'But the other two times he was on a slowing down lap and he should have given space and he didn't and I was a little bit upset about that - that's why I waved my arm.'

If someone told me after Imola I was going to be in this situation of only losing pole at the last second I would have been happy but the way it has run today I am not so happy.'

The subject of overtaking and the behaviour of backmarkers has hit the headlines this season with McLaren boss Ron Dennis saying some drivers were brainless, but refused to name names.