Timothy Collings' Qualifying Report - Japanese GP

Michael Schumacher qualified quickest for the Japanese Grand Prix for the third consecutive year on Saturday.

It was the Ferrari driver's eigth pole of the season and the 31st of his career.

Never one to relax until he is standing on the winner's podium listening to the German national anthem, Schumacher was quick to play down the significance of starting at the front.

"It is nice but it is not something special to celebrate," he said after squeezing defending champion Mika Hakkinen's McLaren into the second spot by nine-thousandths of a second.

"We have come here to try to win the race and to win the world championship and this is a first step. Bu it is not done yet. There is a long way to go."

Schumacher, who has an eight-point lead over nearest title rival Hakkinen with two races remaining, needs only to score two points more than Hakkinen in Suzuka to become Ferrari's first world champion since 1979.

Two years ago in Japan Schumacher won pole position but stalled on the grid and was forced to start last. He roared back into third position but an exploded right rear tyre ended his race. Hakkinen won and took the title.

In 1999 Schumacher had pole again but managed only second place behind the Finn, who lifted the drivers' title for a second consecutive year.

Best Starting Position

In the 13 Japanese Grands Prix held at the Suzuka circuit since 1987 only four men have won the race after starting in pole. Schumacher did it in 1995, Ayrton Senna in 1988 and Gerhard Berger in 1987 and 1991.

"It is the best starting position for the race, of course, but it is not everything. We have to make a good start and we (Ferrari) have not always made a habit of having good starts here," Schumacher said.

Hakkinen, who missed out on pole after a titanic duel through a thrilling hour of qualifying, admitted he was disappointed. "But I enjoyed it," he said. "It was very exciting to take part in that session and although I feel I could have taken pole I am happy to be at the front of the grid.

"I tried to go faster on my last lap at the end but I just could not find the traction I needed coming out of the chicane."

Hakkinen's McLaren teammate David Coulthard was third fastest to claim what he described as "the best seat in the house for the world title decider." Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello was fourth.