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Rubinho Comes Home In Style

Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello drove his fans wild with delight this afternoon as he qualified his Ferrari in pole position for tomorrow's Brazilian Grand Prix. Rubens' team mate, Michael Schumacher will begin the race from seventh.

'There can't be a more appropriate time for a Brazilian to put a Ferrari on pole than here,' said Mike Copson of Shell Global Solutions. 'The atmosphere has been fantastic and once again Shell fuel has powered the Scuderia to the top spot. It is a very hot afternoon here in Brazil that continues to be a challenge for the Ferrari team and us. Michael (Schumacher), Rubens (Barrichello) and Felipe (Massa) joined us for the launch of Shell V-Power in Brazil earlier in the week; it is a fuel that draws directly from Formula One technology and what better endorsement than pole in Brazil.'

Following a spin in yesterday's wet first qualifying session Jenson Button from B.A.R. was the first man to try his hand at qualifying today. He was followed out by the rest of his Formula One colleagues in a timely order as per the new regulations. Jarno Trulli's time of 1.13.954 looked to be the biggest obstacle to overcome for much of the session. In fact, none of the eight drivers who followed Jarno onto the track could beat him. This included World Champion Michael Schumacher toured Interlagos in 1.14.130.

With four drivers to come, Trulli's lap was beginning to look impregnable. However, McLaren's David Coulthard was flying and produced his 'tidiest flying lap so far'. His time of 1.13.818 was so 'tidy' in fact that it gave him provisional pole.

By now, the excitement of the thousands of fans around the Interlagos circuit was clear to see. As their local hero Rubens Barrichello made his way around to begin his flyer, chants of 'Rubinho' filled the air, competing for attention with the Ferrari V10. He crossed the line and stopped the clock at 1.13.807 - Interlagos went berserk as fans jumped up and down and cheering and shouting the name of their hero.

The emotion almost overshadowed the last man running. Mark Webber who drove a magnificent lap yesterday was the last driver to qualify and again drove well to put his Jaguar third on tomorrow's grid.

So, Rubens Barrichello begins tomorrow's race in pole, David Coulthard alongside. Behind them, Webber's Jaguar and Malaysian race winner Kimi Raikkonen. Having led the session for so long, Trulli begins in fifth. Ralf Schumacher is sixth with his brother behind him in the Ferrari F2002.

The cheering is still ringing out around the track and will doubtless continue late into the night and on to tomorrow when Rubens will return to try and win his home Grand Prix for the first time.