24.04.2004  Jenson Button goes fastest at Imola during qualifying to end Michael Schumacher's run of pole positions this season

Jenson Button stormed to his first ever pole position in front of the Tifosi hordes around Imola.

His fastest lap of 1:19.753 was good enough for the top spot as BAR continue to emerge as the team to take the fight to Ferrari.

Michael Schumacher, who had started the first three Grands Prix of the year from pole position lines up on the outside of the front row after a mistake at the Variante Alta on his flying lap cost him several tenths.

Behind Button and Schumacher line up the two Williams-BMW cars of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher who sandwich the second Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello.

Jean Todt: 'For the first time this season, we do not have a Ferrari on pole position. Doubtless, it will not be the last, just as there will be races where we will be back at the head of the field in qualifying.

'Michael was on an amazing lap, but a small off-track excursion in the third sector cost him first place and so he finds himself starting from 'only' second. Rubens was also going well, but he was not impeccable in the final section of the track and so maybe he could have been a bit higher up the order.

'However, 'ifs' and 'buts' count for nothing in the end! The car, the engine, the Bridgestone tyres, Shell’s fuel and lubricants: we have everything in place to put up a good fight in tomorrow’s race. Racing in front of our fans and employees of the Ferrari Maserati Group who will be here with their families will give us an additional boost to give it our best and do well.'

Michael Schumacher : 'Once I saw that Jenson had done a good lap, I knew that for me it was a case of all or nothing. So I tried very hard, but I overdid it at the Variante Alta. I was actually lucky not to go off the track and spin. But even without that moment, I do not think I would have been quick enough for pole.

'I think it will be an interesting race tomorrow and a tight battle, especially the run down to the first corner, given the potential of the drivers at the front end of the grid. I was happy with my car today, although I did not have much grip in pre-qualifying as, once again I was the “road sweeper” being first out on track.'

Rubens Barrichello : 'Together with the engineers, we improved my car a lot compared to yesterday, when I was unhappy with the set-up. In qualifying I was on a good lap, but it was not perfect in the final sector, which cost me precious time and positions.

'However, I am still confident for the race. We know we can count on a really good car and the Bridgestone tyres which we can rely on to go well even over a long distance.'

Ross Brawn : 'It was a very exciting qualifying session, probably the most unpredictable so far this season. Obviously, we are a bit disappointed not to be on pole in Imola, but we believe we have what we need to be competitive tomorrow, given that we still have both cars on the front two rows of the grid.

'Michael’s final sector didn’t quite come together and the same went for Rubens, who also lost a bit in the final part of the track, having managed, along with his engineers, to significantly improve his car compared to yesterday’s free practice.'