Five-time world champion Michael Schumacher secured his first ever pole position in the Belgian Grand Prix today.
Schumacher, a five-time winner in Belgium, steered his Ferrari to the fastest time of 1min 43.726sec ahead of Finland's Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren (1:44.150) while Rubens Barrichello took third spot in the other Ferrari (1:44.335).
"I wanted this pole. I had a good feeling after some little changes had been made to the car and I was feeling confident," said Schumacher after claiming his first ever pole on the circuit he considers his favourite.
It is Schumacher's fifth pole of the season, and the 48th of his career - although he said he didn't even realise he had never took pole here.
"I found out this weekend I never had pole position here," Schumacher said. "I wasn't aware at all. I thought it had happened somewhere."
Schumacher is now primed to set a record of 10 race wins in a year for tomorrow’s race - the 14th of the Formula One season.
In previous seasons he has recorded nine wins to equal the record set almost a decade ago by Britain's Nigell Mansell.
If successful the German ace would carry on his superb form on the traditional circuit at Spa, where he first raced in Formula One in 1991 and where he won his first ever race a year later.
Raikkonen, who was fastest in practice, lost time on his final run when he went a little wide on a turn and went briefly into the gravel.
"The last run was quickest. There was some sand and I lost some time in the middle sector. Still it was very close on times," said Raikkonen who was nevertheless pleased with his progress.
"I am still second. My best qualifying so far."
Rubens Barrichello, in the other Ferrari, said he was satisfied to finish third.
"To be very honest I was struggling quite a lot this morning," Barrichello, who won the Hungary Grand Prix two weeks ago, said.
"I am happy to be third on a good line at the the start. The car was not balanced at all and having all sort of reactions.
"I couldn't have gone faster than Michael but I might have done 43.9."
Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams, in a battle with Barrichello for second place in the drivers' standings, were fourth and fifth. Ralf Schumacher timed 1:44.348 with Montoya just behind in 1:44.634.
David Coulthard in the other McLaren was sixth in 1:44.759.
Times and grid positions:
1 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1min 43.726secs, 2 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren at 0.424secs
3 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari at 0.609
4 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Williams at 0.622
5 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) Williams at 0.908
6 David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren at 1.033
7 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Renault at 1.660
8 Eddie Irvine (Gbr) Jaguar at 2.139
9 Mika Salo (Fin) Toyota at 2.154
10 Jenson Button (Gbr) Renault at 2.246
11 Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) Jaguar at 2.330
12 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) British American Racing at 2.677
13 Allan McNish (Gbr) Toyota at 2.759
14 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Jordan at 2.782
15 Olivier Panis (Fra) British American Racing at 2.827
16 Takuma Sato (Jpn) Jordan at 3.149
17 Felipe Massa (Bra) Sauber at 3.170
18 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber at 3.546
19 Mark Webber (Aus) Minardi at 3.836
20 Anthony Davidson (Gbr) Minardi at 4.444