Liuzzi on pole at Monaco

Liuzzi, aiming for his third consecutive victory of the season, was fastest for most of the session until chief rival, BCN Competition's Enrico Toccacelo, went quicker. With his final lap time, a 1m25.619s, Liuzzi settled the matter. Shortly after that Toccacelo hit the barriers just before Casino Square.

"I was trying to improve my time," said Toccacelo, "but I made a mistake on the Casino corner at the moment of braking and spun off. The suspension was damaged and I was finished for the day. Tomorrow I hope to make a good start".

Jose Maria Lopez, who is establishing a reputation as a quick but erratic driver, lived up to form by setting the third fastest time before he crashed at Ste Devote. Coloni Motorsport's Jeffery van Hooydonk was fourth.

Liuzzi's team-mate Robert Doornbos impressed with fifth place on his first visit to Monaco ahead of Patrick Freisacher and Raffaele Giammaria. Tomas Enge should have qualified higher than eighth, but he too hit the barriers.

"Of course, I am a bit angry on myself because I had wanted better result," said the former Prost F1 driver. "The car was okay during the free practice and we definitely were strong enough for the first two rows. Unfortunately, I went into some traffic in qualifying and I was a bit too quick at the first left-right at the swimming poll section just and damaged the left rear of the car."