Following unusually quiet, yet highly competitive, Friday practice sessions yesterday, Jean Todt, Ferrari Managing Director summed up the atmosphere in the paddock: ‘ We know we can expect a closely contested Grand Prix and along with our partners, especially Bridgestone and Shell, we will try and exploit the full potential of our package.’ Â

Following today’s qualifying session, all the signs point towards this being a rather accurate prediction as one of Ferrari’s drivers roared to pole in dominating style today ahead of a close battle behind him. Â Â

‘Whilst Formula One is a big team effort, today’s pole position belongs solely to one man, Michael Schumacher. His hot lap was outstanding,’ said Mike Copson, Shell’s Technical Manager after the qualifying session for tomorrow’s Spanish Grand Prix. ‘The qualifying session was incredibly competitive, with a lot of teams being strong and we are confident that our fuels and oils continue to give Michael and Rubens (Barrichello) the best possible package. All will be revealed tomorrow when we see exactly how much fuel each car is carrying.’ Â Â

After the first few runners had recorded their times, local hero Alonso got the crowd warmed up when his 1.16.442 took provisional pole. Unfortunately, the home crowd basking in the Catalan sun had little time to enjoy the moment as Alonso’s time was soon eclipsed with a good lap from Rubens Barrichello in the Ferrari. Â Â

Rubens’ 1.16.462 was good enough in fact for an eventual fifth place spot at the end of the session, but he was first eclipsed but the B.A.R. of Sato and then his Ferrari team mate Schumacher. Â Â

Schumacher would sit at the top of the timesheets for the rest of the session, but not before Jenson Button had run wide at Turn 9, spoiling any chance of a good lap for the Englishman this afternoon. Â Â

Michael’s lap was simply stunning - almost flawless and devilishly quick. The F2004 lapped Barcelona in 1.15.008, his fastest time of the weekend so far and over 0.6 of a second faster than the next best, Juan Pablo Montoya. Â Â

Behind Montoya, Takuma Sato starts third with his best ever start ahead of Trulli, Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher. Â Â

Button has the speed and will be eager to make places tomorrow afternoon, as does Barrichello on row three whilst at the front, Schumacher lines up alongside Montoya for what promises to be an exciting start.