“I am very proud of this pole, especially as it was only on Thursday when I realised that I had never been quickest here at Spa,” said Michael. “I had a good feeling before the session as the guys had done a very good job and the set-up was perfect. As we only used one set of tyres this morning I was reasonably confident that we would have a margin over the others. I had to abort one run because of yellow flags. At the end of the session, we realised we had miscalculated the time remaining, but I went out anyway as we had made a set-up change and I wanted to understand what effect it had on the car.”

”On the subject of the advertising on the track surface, it is true that along with the other drivers we have asked for it to be removed. There is often a chance of rain here and we know from the pedestrian crossings on the Monaco track how slippery this paint can be. As for the race, I am looking forward to it as Spa is my most favourite track and it means a lot to me because it plays an important part in my racing history.”

Rubens Barrichello had to settle for third place on the grid but this allows him to start on the clean side of the track so he is confident his race can still be a good one. After struggling with the F2002 in the morning practice the Brazilian was pleased to improve on his set up in the qualifying session. Rubens is happy with his tyre choice suggesting he has opted for a different tyre to that of Michael and he too is looking forward to a good race tomorrow.

“This morning I had been struggling with the set-up and the car was not balanced, giving me understeer and oversteer in the same corner,” remarked the Brazilian. “We worked hard to improve it before qualifying and so I am happy to be third on the clean side of the track. I also feel I have a good tyre choice and set-up for the race. On my final run I might have gone quicker, but I lost three tenths behind another car in the first sector, the second sector was much better, but then at the end of the lap there was just too much traffic at the chicane. It was a shame, because although I would not have beaten Michael’s time, I think I could have pipped Kimi for second place.”

Jean Todt was once again left delighted at the overall performance of the team today. Todt was very pleased that Michael achieved his aim of pole position as well as being contented with Barrichello’s third place. With the Brazilians rivals behind him then his second place in the title is still within his reach.

“It was a great qualifying for Ferrari,” said Todt “With Michael Schumacher managing to take his fifth pole of the year, the eighth for the Scuderia and Rubens Barrichello taking third place. Michael was particularly keen to be quickest in qualifying for this race, given that he had never done it before on what is his favourite circuit. In terms of the battle for second place in the Drivers’ championship, Rubens is in a favourable situation, given that his closest rivals are all behind him. The entire chassis-engine-Bridgestone tyre package was at its best and it is very gratifying to have secured this result on such a special circuit as Spa-Francorchamps.”

Technical Director Ross Brawn was also happy for the Schumacher pole and hopes that is it not an unlucky pole as Schumacher has never won from pole on this track. Brawn is expecting a tougher race than the one we got in Hungary a fortnight ago but he expects a win tomorrow.

“I am very happy with Michael’s pole as I did not know he had never done it here,” concluded Ross. “In the past, he has often won after starting further back, so let’s hope pole is a good omen! Michael has been happy with the balance of his car throughout the weekend. It was important to get him out when the track was clear and we managed to do it twice. The start will be important tomorrow. I think it will be a very interesting and exiting race and that our opponents will be more competitive than they were in Budapest. The tyres should be okay so there is no reason not to be optimistic.”