24.07.2004 It is nice to be back on pole again in front of the home crowd, as was the case the last time I was quickest at the Nurburgring" Ferrari F1 qualifying report AND times from Hockenheim

Seventh pole position of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the sixth for Michael. This is the Scuderia's eighteenth pole in the German Grand Prix, its 173rd in total.

Michael will start from the front row for the hundredth time in his career, thanks to this his 61st pole position, his second at Hockenheim.

Jean Todt: 'I am very happy with Michael’s pole position, set in front of his fans and so many Ferrari supporters. It is a great result in the second most important market, the first in Europe, for our company. Michael’s second and third sectors were really extraordinary, helped in part by the Bridgestone tyres that hung on right to the end.

'It was a shame for Rubens, who lost precious time in the final section of the track: however, I am confident he can have a good race, given that a few times this season, he has started a bit further back and managed to stage a great climb up the order.

'While satisfied with pole, we must not forget that this is just the first step for the weekend. The second and more important one takes place tomorrow.

'We can expect a tough race and we will tackle it with the same approach we have adopted at the eleven previous rounds, which means with absolute determination and motivation.'

Michael Schumacher: 'It is nice to be back on pole again in front of the home crowd, as was the case the last time I was quickest at the Nurburgring. To be honest, I am not so surprised to be on pole, but I am surprised at the gap to the others. In pre-qualifying, as usual I was first out as the circuit sweeper, but I cannot complain as there is a good reason for that.

'But it does mean you cannot push to the limit so much for the first couple of corners. Running in the mid-field in the second session was not much of a disadvantage and the circuit did not seem to pick up more speed towards the end.

'It looks very promising for us for tomorrow when the weather is supposed to be nice and hot and sunny, so I hope we can put on a good show for the spectators.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'I had an okay qualifying, but I think I might have been able to go a bit quicker and improve my position slightly on the grid.

'My expectations for the race tomorrow are very closely linked to strategy and we will not know until the end of the race which one of us has chosen the best one. I know I can count on a very strong car-engine-Bridgestone tyre package.'

Ross Brawn: 'Michael drove an outstanding lap. He really is an incredible driver! We were actually focussing our strategy mainly on the race, so what Michael did is really extraordinary.

'Tomorrow’s race should take place in relatively hot conditions: we saw in yesterday’s free practice that the Bridgestone tyres were working very well and that means we can approach tomorrow with confidence. In fact, apart from what happens at the start, tyre durability will be the key factor.'

Pre-qualifying session, Michael Schumacher: 11th 1.14.042 3 laps chassis 239, Rubens Barrichello: 12th 1.14.111 3 laps chassis 240, Temperatures: air 25° C, track 32° C

Qualifying session, Michael Schumacher: 1st 1.13.306 3 laps chassis 239, Rubens Barrichello: 8th 1.14.278 3 laps chassis 240, Temperatures: air 26° C, track 34° C