Spielberg, Austria (Sports Network) - Defending champion Michael Schumacher, driving the new F2003-GA Ferrari for just the second race, was the quickest driver on the track and will start on the pole for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix.
Schumacher circled the 2.688-mile course in 1 minute, 09.150 seconds to capture his fourth pole of the season and 54th of his legendary career. The time was more than a full second off the track record set last year by Rubens Barrichello (1:08.082).
The five-time champion set fastest times in the final two sections of the course in beating points leader Kimi Raikkonen by 0.039 seconds.
Row two consists of Williams' Juan Montoya (1:09.391) and Sauber's Nick Heidfeld (1:09.725).
Ferrari's Barrichello, who dominated last year's race until given "team orders" to pull over and let his teammate pass on the final turn, completed the top-five.
Once the cars completed their Saturday laps they were impounded, known as "parc ferme," until Sunday's race.
Raikkonen leads Schumacher by four points in the championship (32-28), with Fernando Alonso (25) in third place, seven points down. The Spaniard, who finished second two weeks ago at his home Grand Prix in Barcelona, slid off the course and will start 19th in the 20-car field.
Sunday's race is scheduled for 8 a.m. (et).
05/17 09:05:11 ET
http://sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=formula/news/BGN2596556.htm
Schumacher circled the 2.688-mile course in 1 minute, 09.150 seconds to capture his fourth pole of the season and 54th of his legendary career. The time was more than a full second off the track record set last year by Rubens Barrichello (1:08.082).
The five-time champion set fastest times in the final two sections of the course in beating points leader Kimi Raikkonen by 0.039 seconds.
Row two consists of Williams' Juan Montoya (1:09.391) and Sauber's Nick Heidfeld (1:09.725).
Ferrari's Barrichello, who dominated last year's race until given "team orders" to pull over and let his teammate pass on the final turn, completed the top-five.
Once the cars completed their Saturday laps they were impounded, known as "parc ferme," until Sunday's race.
Raikkonen leads Schumacher by four points in the championship (32-28), with Fernando Alonso (25) in third place, seven points down. The Spaniard, who finished second two weeks ago at his home Grand Prix in Barcelona, slid off the course and will start 19th in the 20-car field.
Sunday's race is scheduled for 8 a.m. (et).
05/17 09:05:11 ET
http://sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=formula/news/BGN2596556.htm
