23.10.2004 "I just went out to try my best and when I saw that I was on pole when I crossed the line, I felt my legs go numb, because it had been very high pressure" Ferrari F1 qualifying report from Interlagos

Twelfth pole position of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, the fourth with Rubens Barrichello. It is the Scuderia’s 178th in total, the fourth at this race, while Rubens starts from the top slot for the thirteenth time in his career, the second consecutively at this track.

Jean Todt: 'A great qualifying from Rubens, who took pole position for the fourth time this season. For the third time in a row we will start with one car ahead of the field and another much further back. Michael’s day was compromised when he went off the track in the closing moments of the fourth free practice session.

'Because of the damage to the car, the team decided to switch him to the T-car, fitted with a new engine. Michael will therefore have to drop ten places on the grid. Our aims for tomorrow are clear: Rubens will try to win and Michael will attempt to finish as high up the order as possible.

'Given that the top eleven drivers are all within less than a second of one another, we will see a very close and hard fought race, both for the cars and the drivers, especially with the bumpy nature of the track surface.

'Another decisive factor will be the weather as the forecast is uncertain. We think we have a very good car-engine-Bridgestone tyre package and we will do all we can to bring a historic year for Ferrari to its best possible conclusion.'

Rubens Barrichello: 'It was a great feeling out there today. I have lived here for around 20 years and as I was going out on the track it felt like it did in my karting days. I just went out to try my best and when I saw that I was on pole when I crossed the line, I felt my legs go numb, because it had been very high pressure.

'I think the crowd would have left their seats and chased me into the garage if I had made a mistake! It was great seeing their reaction on my slowing down lap. I start from the same place as last year, I have a very good car for the race and I am feeling very serene.

'To be honest, the pressure has gone already. Tonight I will go home and play with my son and sleep in my own bed and it will just seem like a normal day. Last year, I was very much prepared to win and I am equally prepared to win tomorrow. This result means the first big battle of the weekend is won, but tomorrow comes a bigger battle. It will be a long race, physically quite hard and a long battle.

'One mystery will be the weather. It was a shame for Michael, who had a big impact this morning and had to adapt to the spare car with no other running before qualifying. But I think he can also have a good race tomorrow.'

Michael Schumacher: 'As usual, Ferrari came here to win the race and it is good that Rubens did such a fantastic job in getting his car together and putting together a wonderful lap. He is in the perfect position now.

'As for my accident in the morning, the car picked up some oversteer and I lost control. Sure the track was bumpy, but then it’s been bumpy all weekend, so I am not making excuses. I am a bit disappointed with my qualifying lap that was a bit too slow. Even starting so far back, I will keep trying to have a good race.'

Ross Brawn: 'It was a day of totally contrasting fortunes. Rubens has done a great job all weekend so far. He has worked hard and set up the car properly. He did a great lap in qualifying. From my perspective he deserves to win tomorrow.

'Whether that will happen is another matter. It would be great if he could. Michael made a mistake this morning and with the current format of the races, you pay very heavily for that. It has made it very difficult for him in the race tomorrow and I think he is probably praying for rain.

'The tyres are performing consistently, but I don’t know what conditions we will face tomorrow, as there is a high percentage chance of rain. We have never been concerned in the rain as Bridgestone tyres are excellent in the wet.

Pre-qualifying session. Rubens Barrichello: 1st 1.09.822 3 laps chassis 240; Michael Schumacher: 4th 1.10.192 3 laps chassis 239; Temperatures: air 27/26°C, track 35°C

Qualifying session. Rubens Barrichello: 1st 1.10.646 3 laps chassis 240, Michael Schumacher: 8th 1.11.386 3 laps chassis 239, Temperatures: air 29°C, track 39°C