Schumacher Enjoys Battle with Barrichello

World Champion Michael Schumacher seized a last-gasp pole position to give Ferrari a front row sweep and delight their massed fans at the San Marino Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher's teammate, had led as the chequered flag fell to end the hour-long qualifying session and looked set for his second pole in four races.

But four-times World Champion Schumacher had already started his final flying lap and he powered over the kerbs and through the chicanes to beat the luckless Brazilian by 0.064 of a second.

It was the German's 45th career pole position and his time of 1:21.091 was well inside the race lap record of 1:25.524. Schumacher's success also ended McLaren's run of four poles in succession at Imola.

"My mate gave me a hard time today," said Schumacher, who will equal Austrian Gerhard Berger's record of 96 starts for Ferrari on Sunday. "But that's fun, that's what we like. It was so close between each other.

"Because we had done little running in the dry, it was a difficult session, not helped by gusting wind. Bridgestone has made a good step forward again and we seem to be well sorted for tomorrow.

"When I start the race, I will have competed in more races for Ferrari than any other driver. That means a lot to me as it shows the mutual confidence we have in one another."

Despite having to settle for second place, Barrichello was also happy with his performance, and also enjoyed the battle with the World Champion.

"Having been on provisional pole for most of the session, of course I would have liked to have kept it," said Barrichello. "Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the challenge and the fight was fun."