Michael Schumacher boosted his chances of scoring a record-equalling ninth win of the season tomorrow as he powered to pole position for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
The German, who already shares the record with Nigel Mansell, took top spot on the Motor Speedway grid for the second year in succession for Ferrari.
The four-time world champion took his season's pole tally to 10 - it was also the 42nd of his career - after finishing over 0.2 seconds ahead of McLaren's Mika Hakkinen.
Ralf Schumacher was third fastest ahead of Williams-BMW team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya with Rubens Barrichello fifth in the other Ferrari.
McLaren's David Coulthard was back in seventh spot as Germany's Nick Heidfeld equalled his career-best qualifying position of sixth.
Eddie Irvine ended a run of five successive qualifying sessions where he had been outperformed by fellow Jaguar Racing driver Pedro de la Rosa, but he will start the 73-lap race from a lowly 14th spot with the Spaniard two places back.
The Jordans of Jarno Trulli and Jean Alesi lie in 8th and 9th position.