Schumacher Surprised by Front Row Spot

World Champion Michael Schumacher said on Saturday that he was surprised his qualifying lap for Sunday's United States Grand Prix was good enough to secure a front row grid position alongside Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello.

German Schumacher posted a time of 1:10.400 seconds with eight cars left to run but he held the top spot until Brazilian Barrichello snatched it off him on the final lap of the session.

"I was expecting to drop further back," Schumacher said. "I struggled in the mid sector because I had to fight far too much oversteer in there and I lost time so there was obviously the doubt that I would keep that position.

"In a way, I'm pleased we're both on the front row. Naturally I would have preferred the other position but Rubens did a better job so that's where we are. I just slid it around too much and couldn't keep it on track properly in line.

"There were a couple of corners where I particularly lost time against Rubens and he just found a better way to deal with it. But he has had a fantastic weekend and has been very strong all weekend long."

Schumacher has never finished lower than second at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since it appeared on the calendar in 2000 and with seven wins from eight races this season he looks set to extend his strong record.

He will face a fight from Barrichello for victory but, with his Ferrari team's closest rivals BAR-Honda more than three tenths of a second slower the Italian team look set to dominate the race once again.

When asked about his impressive record at Indianapolis, Schumacher said: "Let's keep it - but obviously I still aim for one up than my lowest one. That is going to be the interesting one between us tomorrow."