Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari won his seventh pole position in a row today during qualifying for tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix. He is now just one pole position away from equalling the all-time record for successive poles set by Ayrton Senna over the 1988/89 seasons and with Italy's Alberto Ascari's record of ten consecutive Grand Prix victories in his sights.
His younger brother Ralf was second fastest in the Williams, making tomorrow’s race the first occasion the brothers have shared the front row of the grid. Mika Hakkinen in the McLaren was third fastest, with his team-mate David Coulthard fifth. In fourth spot was Juan Pablo Montoya in the other Williams. Jordan’s Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen were seventh and eighth respectively, with Eddie Irvine in the Jaguar trailing in 13th spot.
Schumacher's team-mate and home favourite Rubens Barichello had to settle for sixth in the other Ferrari, reducing his chances of becoming the first Brazilian to win his home race since the great Ayrton Senna in 1993. (PA)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
