Massa pips Schumacher in all Ferrari front-row

teamcar - Felipe Massa saved his best until last as he snatched Pole Position for the Japanese Grand Prix from Michael Schumacher in the very final seconds of qualifying. Ferrari had shown sensational pace all through the three 15-minute qualifying sessions with Michael Schumacher recording a stunning 1:28.954s record best in Q2, but come the final 15-minute run, it was Massa who edged Schumacher off the provisional Pole.

Felipe Massa’s best lap was a 1:29.599s while Schumacher was just 0.122s slower in the sister 248 F1. With an all Ferrari front row and title rival Fernando Alonso starting back in fifth position, Schumacher will not be too unhappy having missed out on his chance to take a record ninth Pole Position at Suzuka. Toyota has made big gains this weekend at their home circuit.

Perhaps running a little lighter on fuel than its immediate rivals Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli qualified third and fourth respectively. Last year of course, Ralf Schumacher claimed the Pole for the team but was a very early stopper for fuel. Still, Bridgestone will be most happy to see four of its cars in the top four for Sunday’s 53-lap Grand Prix.

Fifth position is not what Fernando Alonso would have hoped for. He and team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella just do not seem to have the pace to challenge Ferrari this weekend. Alonso’s fifth fastest lap of 1:30.371s was six-tenths slower than rival Schumacher.

Giancarlo Fisichella is doing a solid job this weekend in the second Renault and until the final laps of qualifying today actually held the upper hand on Alonso.