Michael Schumacher won a sizzling battle with team-mate Rubens Barrichello to give Ferrari a dream one-two in qualifying on the debut of the team's new car at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona today.
The five-time world champion claimed his third pole position of the campaign and the 53rd of his glittering career as the F2003-GA proved too hot for its rivals on the Cirtcuit de Catalunya.
Schumacher, determined to make a winning debut in the new car and continue his title fightback, finished 0.258 seconds ahead of Brazilian Barrichello.
Renault had gone into the single-lap session with high hopes of repeating their one-two from Malaysia but local hero Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli had to settle for third and fourth place.
Britain's Jenson Button edged ahead in his private qualifying battle with BAR-Honda team-mate Jacques Villeneuve to take a 3-2 lead over the former world champion after a fine qualifying session.
The 23-year-old will start tomorrow's race in fifth place - following his best qualifying display for his new team - and handily placed to figure in the points.
But championship leader Kimi Raikkonen will start the race from the pit lane after suffering a nightmare qualifying session when he drifted too wide at a tight left-handed corner and skidded onto the gravel.
The Finn kept his McLaren-Mercedes going but lost several seconds and decided to abort his lap. Raikkonen will be able to work on his car under the new regulations but will have to try to work his way through from the back of the field.
Jordan rookie Ralph Firman gave himself a massive confidence boost just a day after team chief Eddie Jordan rubbished reports that his Formula One future was at stake. The racer outqualified his highly-rated team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella for the first time this season - and by a massive margin of around 0.7secs.
Firman, whose season has been hit by reliability problems, also scored his highest starting position so far of 15th spot with Fisichella, who triumphed in Brazil last month, two places further back.
Justin Wilson outqualified fellow Minardi driver Jos Verstappen for the third time in five attempts and will start 18th after equalling his best qualifying record in his maiden season.
1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:17.762
2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:18.020
3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:18.233
4. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1:18.615
5. Jenson Button (Britain) BAR 1:18.704
6. Olivier Panis (France) Toyota 1:18.811
7. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams 1:19.006
8. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1:19.128
9. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1:19.377
10. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) Sauber 1:19.427
11. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) BAR 1:19.563
12. Mark Webber (Australia) Jaguar 1:19.615
13. Cristiano da Matta (Brazil) Toyota 1:19.623
14. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Sauber 1:19.646
15.
Ralph Firman(GBR/Irl) Jordan 1:20.215
16. Antonio Pizzonia (Brazil) Jaguar 1:20.308
17.
Giancarlo Fisichella(Italy) Jordan 1:20.976
18. Justin Wilson (Britain) Minardi 1:22.104
19. Jos Verstappen (Netherlands) Minardi 1:22.237
20. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren no time