Formula One news

Schumacher smashes rivals in qualifying

Michael Schumacher  turned up the heat in Hungary shashing the opposition and taking a surprise pole position by a gigantic 0.9s from Juan Pablo Montoya. Jarno Trulli qualified third ahead of Raikkonen. Championship leader Fernando Alonso will start from sixth.

Following his retirement from the German Grand Prix Kimi Raikkonen was the first driver out in qualifying. The Hungaroring is notorious for losing a lot of grip during sessions as fine dust and sand is blown onto the tarmac. Raikkonen negotiated the slippery surface and put down a strong marker of 1m20.891s.

Raikkonen retained provisional pole until Toyota's Jarno Trulli took to the track. The qualifying specialist nudged Raikkonen out by 0.052s and would stay on provisional pole for much of the session.

Michael Schumacher sprung a real shocker on the paddock when he knocked Jarno Trulli off pole by almost a full second. The reigning champion was just 0.2s up at the first sector and then pulled out a massive advantage of 0.8s by the end of the second sector. Cue Ferrari and Bridgestone celebrations.

The challenge - a monumental one - fell to Juan Pablo Montoya and Fernando Alonso - the final two drivers in qualifying. Montoya matched Schumacher at the first sector but fell a half second behind in the second sector where Schumacher was just awesome. Montoya crossed the line in second, 0.9s behind the Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso was the last driver out and ran wide in the first corner and then ran very wide on the final corner kicking up dust and losing a massive slice of time and qualified sixth.

A dominant Michael Schumacher held his head high in the pit lane as the Tifosi went wild in celebration at the Scuderia's first pole position of the season - and what a way to do it. Montoya starts second ahead of Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen within striking distance in fourth. Ralf Schumacher starts fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Butto

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

Homepage