Another pole and another record were the high points of qualifying day at the "Enzo e Dino Ferrari" circuit, as Michael Schumacher set the quickest time in the final section of the session, with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team-mate Felipe Massa, lining up on the second row in fourth place.

Michael drove a fantastic lap to take pole, even though the time he set on light fuel in the second part of the session was naturally quicker. Schumacher has literally re-written the Grand Prix record book, leading the table for points, wins, fastest laps and so forth. But one record had still to fall; that set by the late Ayrton Senna for the most number of pole positions. At Bahrain's Sakhir circuit at the opening round of the season, Schumacher equalled the Brazilian's record and today he beat it. Later, Michael admitted that the significance of what he had done had not really sunk in yet. Making a rare visit to a race track was Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and as the pole lap was completed, the team in the garage dedicated it to their leader, who was genuinely moved and overcome with emotion. "I am too old for all this," he joked afterwards.

Schumacher shares the front row with the Honda of Jenson Button, who has been consistently quick this year. The Englishman's team-mate, Rubens Barrichello on the other hand, had suffered so far this season in his new home, but today, Rubinho, still popular with the Imola crowd after his long career at Ferrari, found his form again, setting third quickest time. "Our" Brazilian never really got a clean lap in the final runs and was a bit disappointed with not breaking into the top three. Championship leader Fernando Alonso took his Renault to fifth spot and shares row three with the Toyota of Ralf Schumacher. Second pole position of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, following on from the one in Sakhir, both of them courtesy of Michael Schumacher. This is the sixth time that a Ferrari starts the San Marino Grand Prix from pole. Michael took the sixty sixth pole of his career: an outright record.

Jean Todt: "A marvellous qualifying with a great performance from Michael. Felipe did well, but he was unable to exploit the full potential of the car in the final part of the session. When all elements of the package - drivers, team, chassis, car and tyres - all work at their best, then the results follow. Today we have made a major step forward and it was nice to do so in front of our fans and our employees, packed into their own grandstand here.
 

"But the crucial step comes tomorrow. Everything is in place for us to do well, but we know there are many important factors to take into consideration, first and foremost strategy and reliability. All we can say is that, for the moment, Ferrari and its technical partners, especially Bridgestone and Shell, are working in the right direction."

Michael Schumacher: "We have worked very hard in recent weeks, so it's wonderful to see it all come right for us. But to be honest, I am not surprised that we have done well. It is very nice to be back on pole again and of course, the fact it is my 66th and so a new record is something very special for me. At the moment, I am concentrating totally on this weekend so I think I will only really appreciate fully what I have done at a later time. Yesterday, I said I was aiming for pole and the win. Today we have reached the first target and I hope I can make the second one tomorrow. I am convinced we have a good chance of winning."

Felipe Massa: "To be honest, I'm not happy. On both my laps with new tyres I had traffic and did not make the most of what I had to work with. The car, the engine and the Bridgestone tyres were certainly worth a place in the top three. Fourth is definitely not a disaster, but I cannot be happy with it. All the same, I am optimistic for the race. We have what we need to get a good result."

Ross Brawn: "Very pleased with this result. Everything went well today in terms of our programme. The Bridgestone tyres worked particularly well and I think we can have a strong race and we can look to tomorrow with confidence. Michael's time was fantastic. It's a shame that Felipe never got a clean lap in the final part of qualifying, because of traffic. He still did a good time, given the circumstances. The cars were well balanced and there is cause for optimism for tomorrow."

Qualifying session;Q1: MS 8th 1.24.598 5 laps FM 12th 1.24.884 5 laps; Q2: MS 1st 1.22.579 3 laps FM 4th 1.23.595 3 laps; Q3: MS 1st 1.22.795 14 laps FM 4th 1.23.702 14 laps; Temperatures: air 26 °C, track 36 °C