Qualifying: Enge makes his title bid

But the on-track action was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury sustained by David Saelens, who went off at Becketts, landed heavily and jolted his back severely.

Andrea Piccini (European Minardi) fell down the timesheets after setting the provisional best time in the opening session, as the second period took place in near-perfect conditions under sunny skies and times tumbled. Moment of glory gone, Piccini will start tomorrow's race from 14th.

Minardi's earlier joy turned to worry as its other driver, Saelens, crashed at Becketts. Although his car didn't strike anything, it was launched into the air by the gravel trap and landed heavily, fortunately on its wheels. The session was stopped for a lengthy period while the Belgian was extracted from his machine under the supervision of Professor Sid Watkins.

When the session resumed for a nine-minute shoot-out, Enge couldn't match his earlier 1m38.312s lap in his Nordic-run machine. It didn't matter. What he did manage to do was get in title rival Mark Webber's way, much to the Super Nova driver's obvious displeasure.

"I saw him very late," admitted Enge. "He was suddenly right behind me. I let him pass as soon as I saw him, but I told him I was sorry for that."

The Czech added: "Before this weekend I never thought I would be quickest, especially by three-tenths, which is fantastic. It's very difficult to overtake around here, as we race with full downforce, so that should help me too."

Webber's disappointment was compounded by Sebastien Bourdais (DAMS), who demoted the Aussie to fourth place on his final lap: "I got two good, clear laps. Third is not too bad, and much better than what I had before the red flag," said the Frenchman.

The third of the championship protagonists, Justin Wilson, went quicker after the red flag but couldn't go fast enough to catch Enge, failing by 0.373s. He leads the championship by one point from Webber, with Enge five points further adrift. Wilson will start alongside his Nordic team mate on the front row for Saturday's race, which kicks off at 15.00.

"I've got mixed feelings," said Wilson, who appeared crestfallen to miss out on pole at his home event. "I spent a lot of time in the top position, but it's good to keep it in the team. That makes life a bit easier."

Ricardo Mauricio was fifth fastest in his Red Bull car, ahead of Darren Manning (Arden), Antonio Pizzonia (Petrobras) and Saelens, who qualified eighth but looks unlikely to start after being taken to hospital.

Tomas Enge, Nordic, 1m38.312s
Justin Wilson, Nordic, 1m38.685s
Sebastien Bourdais, DAMS, 1m38.822s
Mark Webber, Super Nova, 1m38.850s
Ricardo Mauricio, Red Bull, 1m38.877s
Darren Manning, Arden, 1m38.906s
Antonio Pizzonia, Petrobras, 1m38.940s
David Saelens, European Minardi, 1m39.009s
Bas Leinders, KTR, 1m39.200s
Giorgio Pantano, Astromega, 1m39.250s
Jonathan Cochet, Prost Junior, 1m39.269s
Mario Haberfeld, Super Nova, 1m39.410s
Fabrizio Golin, Coloni, 1m39.485s
Andrea Piccini, European Minardi, 1m39.566s
Patrick Friesacher, Red Bull, 1m39.607s
Dino Morelli, Astromega, 1m39.627s
Derek Hill, DAMS, 1m39.741s
Jamie Melo, Durango, 1m39.783s
Viktor Maslov, Arden, 1m39.791s
Ricardo Sperafico, Petrobras, 1m39.817s
Rodrigo Sperafico, Coloni, 1m40.019s
Joel Camathias, KTR, 1m40.138s