Schumacher Happy after Perfect Start

Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher is confident after setting the fastest time in first qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix.

The German, seeking a record-equalling sixth win in Monaco to take over the Championship lead, was a master of precision as he lapped the tight and twisty street circuit in 1:16.305. Schumacher has started on pole and won the last three races in a row this season.

He was well inside last year's pole time of 1:16.676, set on a slightly different circuit by Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams.

"I am happy with my time this afternoon, because the track was quite slippery as I was only the second car to run," said Schumacher after the session.

"It is always difficult to predict what can happen here in Monaco, but we can be confident for the rest of the weekend, as the car is working well and we have identified our tyre choice early, so now and on Saturday morning, we can concentrate on establishing the right fuel strategy for final qualifying and the race."

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was 0.331 behind the five-times champion to ensure that the Ferrari drivers will run last of all in Saturday's decisive one lap qualifying session that determines the starting grid.

"I am pretty satisfied with this result," said the Brazilian. "This morning, at the start of free practice, the car was not perfect, but then we made some changes and the situation improved considerably. It was important to get near the top today in order to be among the last to run in Saturday's qualifying."