Sunday, October 10, 2004
Schumacher Leads Japanese GP Qualifying
Sat Oct 9,10:52 PM ET
By SALVATORE ZANCA, Associated Press Writer
SUZUKA, Japan - Formula One champion Michael Schumacher claimed his eight pole position of the year and the 63rd of his career Sunday, turning the fastest qualifying lap just hours before the start of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Schumacher moved within two top qualifying efforts of matching Ayrton Senna's career pole position record of 65. Schumacher last started from the pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, the last race he won.
Qualifying for the Japanese GP was postponed Saturday because of a typhoon warning. Organizers closed the track, canceling the regular prequalifying and qualifying sessions. They rescheduled qualifying for just hours before Sunday's race.
"Qualifying on the same day (as the race) is rather awkward," Schumacher said. "To go right into pre-qualifying without practice made things interesting."
Schumacher had a fast lap of 1 minute, 33.542 seconds in his Ferrari on the 3.609-mile circuit, just ahead of his brother, Ralf, who finished in 1:34.032 in his Williams-BMW. Ralf Schumacher is competing in just his second race since a serious crash at the U.S. Grand Prix in June.
Mark Webber qualified third in a Jaguar-Cosworth in 1:34.571.
Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello, who won the last two races — the Italian and Chinese Grand Prix — qualified 15th at 1:38.637.
Barrichello's victories give Ferrari 14 wins in 16 races this season. Kimi Raikkonen and Jarno Trulli are the only other winners in the series.
Sat Oct 9,10:52 PM ET
By SALVATORE ZANCA, Associated Press Writer
SUZUKA, Japan - Formula One champion Michael Schumacher claimed his eight pole position of the year and the 63rd of his career Sunday, turning the fastest qualifying lap just hours before the start of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Schumacher moved within two top qualifying efforts of matching Ayrton Senna's career pole position record of 65. Schumacher last started from the pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, the last race he won.
Qualifying for the Japanese GP was postponed Saturday because of a typhoon warning. Organizers closed the track, canceling the regular prequalifying and qualifying sessions. They rescheduled qualifying for just hours before Sunday's race.
"Qualifying on the same day (as the race) is rather awkward," Schumacher said. "To go right into pre-qualifying without practice made things interesting."
Schumacher had a fast lap of 1 minute, 33.542 seconds in his Ferrari on the 3.609-mile circuit, just ahead of his brother, Ralf, who finished in 1:34.032 in his Williams-BMW. Ralf Schumacher is competing in just his second race since a serious crash at the U.S. Grand Prix in June.
Mark Webber qualified third in a Jaguar-Cosworth in 1:34.571.
Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello, who won the last two races — the Italian and Chinese Grand Prix — qualified 15th at 1:38.637.
Barrichello's victories give Ferrari 14 wins in 16 races this season. Kimi Raikkonen and Jarno Trulli are the only other winners in the series.
