World champion Fernando Alonso will start the Chinese Grand Prix from pole position after setting the fastest time in qualifying today.
The Spaniard cranked up the pressure on rival Michael Schumacher in the battle for this year's title after the German could only finish sixth.
Alonso will line up alongside Giancarlo Fisichella in an all-Renault front row as the 25-year-old seeks to successfully defend his title ahead of Ferrari's Schumacher, who trails by two points in the battle for the drivers' crown.
The seven-time world champion had a disappointing drive in the wet conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit and will start the race from the third row.
Schumacher had been in impressive form in practice, finishing ahead of the Renaults throughout the early part of the weekend, but struggled when it mattered and Alonso was quickest in all three phases of qualifying.
Felipe Massa, Schumacher's Ferrari team mate, will line up at the back of the grid after posting the 13th fastest time of the session.
But, with the Brazilian incurring a 10-place penalty for changing his engine following yesterday's second practice session, his Ferrari will be placed dead last when the race commences.
Rubens Barrichello will start from the second row alongside Honda team-mate Jenson Button, with both drivers recording exactly the same time. Barrichello will start from third place and Button from fourth as the Brazilian recorded his time first.
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen continued to have problems of his own in the conditions, losing a wing mirror during the session before finishing fifth, beside Schumacher on the grid.
Pedro de la Rosa clocked the seventh fastest time, just ahead of Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber, who in turn was placed in front of team-mate Robert Kubica. The Pole will start in ninth position beside Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos.
Scott Speed qualified a respectable 11th in his Toro Rosso and will start alongside Red Bull's David Coulthard.
Massa's penalty means Tonio Liuzzi will be in 13th position in his Torro Rosso alongside Williams driver Mark Webber, who will have team-mate Nico Rosberg starting in 15th place in the row behind.
Rosberg will be joined by Jarno Trulli after a disappointing day for Toyota that also saw Ralf Schumacher qualify in 16th place.
The Spyker pairing of Christijan Albers and Tiago Monteiro will fill the next two slots, with Super Aguri's Takuma Sato in 18th. His team-mate, Sakon Yamamoto will start on the back row alongside Massa.
Final qualifying positions for Chinese GP:
1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault, 1 minute, 44.380 seconds
2 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault, 1:44.992
3 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda, 1:45.503
4 Jenson Button (GB) Honda, 1:45.503
5 Kimi Raikkonen (Finn) McLaren-Mercedes, 1:45.754
6 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari, 1:45.775
7 Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes, 1:45.877
8 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber, 1:46.053
9 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber, 1:46.632
10 Robert Doornbos (Ned) Red Bull 1:48.021
Eliminated after second 15-minute session
11 Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso, 1:45.851
12 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:46.968
13 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari, 1:45.970 *
14 Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso 1:46.172
15 Mark Webber (Aus) Williams 1:46.413
16 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 1:47.419
Eliminated after first 15-minute session
17 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota, 1:48.894
18 Jarno Trulli, Italy (Toy) 1:49.098
19 Christijan Albers (Ned) Midland-Toyota 1:49.542
20 Tiago Monteiro (Por) Midland-Toyota 1:49.903
21 Takuma Sato (Jap) Super Aguri-Honda 1:50.326
22 Sakon Yamamoto (Jap) Super Aguri-Honda 1:55.560 *
* deducted 10 positions because of engine change
