Qualifying 2: Pole for Bourdais

Bourdais is just two points behind leader Tomas Enge with Monza the only race left after Spa, and he knows victory this weekend would make him the championship favourite going into the final round.

The second qualifying session proved slower than the first in Belgium, meaning Bourdais' earlier time never came under threat. Nevertheless he still topped the session, while Enge crashed out at the left-hander after Rivage.

"I was sure that the track would decrease quickly in grip which is why I pushed really hard at the beginning of the first session," said Bourdais. "It's the right time to come back to form because I have to beat Tomas here to have any real chance at Monza."

Enge denied that the pressure of the championship is getting to him.

"I was just too quick and I lost it," he said of his accident. "It was puely a mistake.

"Sebastien and I have to be careful with each other tomorrow. I've been under pressure in the past so I know how to handle it."

The pair will start on the front row, with a determined Antonio Pizzonia right behind them in third. If the title challengers want to avoid a scrap to make sure of vital points, Pizzonia could be in a great position to win.