11.09.2004 "I was worried that we would not take pole position, right here in front of our fans and our staff" Ferrari F1 qualifying report from Monza

Ninth pole position of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the second with Rubens Barrichello. It is the Scuderia’s 17th pole at the Italian Grand Prix, the 175th in total. For Rubens, it was the eleventh pole of his career and his first at Monza.

Jean Todt: 'It was a really exciting qualifying. I was worried that we would not take pole position, right here in front of our fans and our staff, who have their own grandstand at the entry to the Parabolica.

'But, we did it, thanks to Rubens who drove a fantastic lap. I am happy for him, as he adds another pole to the one he took in Indianapolis back in June. We have one Ferrari behind another on the grid, as Michael qualified third. Now we have to tackle the toughest part of the weekend, which is the race itself.

'We know we can count on a car-engine-Bridgestone tyre package that is very competitive and effective, but we are expecting a close fight. The weather forecast is uncertain, with a chance of rain, which adds another unknown element. We hope to give our fans something more to celebrate.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'I am so happy with this result. The car was really good and I got the most out of it. It felt better through the Lesmos than in the last section and even if you can never do a perfect lap, I think it was very near the limit.

'But at Monza the important thing is to get it right rather than be on the limit because a tiny mistake can cost you half a second. It was an exciting lap for me from inside the car.

'I won here in 2002, I like Monza and while in the past, all the support we got here would distract me, now it gives me a boost. I am quite confident for tomorrow, when we will see what the weather brings.'

Michael Schumacher: 'My lap started well with a good time in the first sector, where before I had been struggling. Then I lost the time in the final part, but Rubens did a perfect lap and I could not have matched it anyway, so I cannot complain.

'As for tomorrow, I am not so far away from Rubens, so we have a strong chance of transforming today’s performance into a good result. Coming here having won both championships, it would be great to do it in style. It would be the perfect way to thank our tifosi.'

Ross Brawn: 'All weekend, it’s been difficult to know where we stood in the pecking order. Given the strategy we have chosen, I am happy with our performance today.

'Rubens drove a really fantastic lap, incredible. He put pressure on Michael, who made a small mistake on his lap. First and third on the grid is a great result. I think we can have a very consistent race in performance terms, thanks to our Bridgestone tyres.'

Pre-qualifying session, Michael Schumacher: 9th 1.20.528 3 laps chassis 239, Rubens Barrichello: 10th 1.20.552 3 laps chassis 240, Temperatures: air 25°C, track 33°C

Qualifying session, Rubens Barrichello: 1st 1.20.089 3 laps chassis 240, Michael Schumacher: 3rd 1.20.637 3 laps chassis 239, Temperatures: air 26°C, track 34°C