MONZA, Italy, 14 September 2003 — Defending champion Michael Schumacher yesterday sent a warning to his championship rivals that he will not give up his crown without a fight by taking pole position for today’s Italian Grand Prix.
The German raced around the 5,793km Monza course in 1 minute 20.963 seconds, beating his championship rival Juan Pablo Montoya in a Williams-BMW by .051 seconds.
The five-time champion said that it was a good time to take his 55th-career pole position. “This is a good time to come back after things have not been going our way in the last few races. Everybody in the team has been working really hard and I am pleased that all this hard work has not been in vain, although this, of course, is only the first small step.”
Montoya said that he gave it everything. “The car went well and I think I had a good lap. I am confident that the car will do well in the race. It is impossible to say what will happen, but I am hoping that it will be a good race.” Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari posted the third fastest time, just under .3 seconds behind his teammate. McLaren-Mercedes’ Kimi Raikkonen will start alongside Barrichello after having the fourth fastest time.
Spaniard Marc Gene, who replaced Williams’ Ralf Schumacher — who pulled out after feeling unwell following Friday’s first qualifying session — yesterday morning, managed a credible fifth place. Gene said he was surprised when he received the call to race. “I was still lying in bed when I was called. It was like a dream. I hope that I will be able to help Montoya and the team.”
Although his time was only bettered by four drivers, he said that he had not been very happy with his round. “I made two, three small mistakes and I could have had a better time. I know the car very well and I can do better.”
Fernando Alonso, who became the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner when he took the Hungarian Grand Prix three weeks ago, had a disappointing qualifying session. The Renault driver lost close to 20 seconds when he slid off the track and will start from last place on the grid.
With three races to go, the championship is as open as it has not been for several years. Schumacher leads with 72 points from Montoya on 71, with Raikkonen a point behind.
Bahrain Ready to
Welcome F1 Circus
Bahrain, meanwhile, is happy and ready to welcome the Formula One circus next year, when it hosts the Middle East’s first-ever Grand Prix in the country.
Speaking at a function in Monza on Friday night, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman ibn Hamad Al-Khalifa said that it was “a great honor to be here as a new member in the F1 club.”
The 2004 Grand Prix timetable released by the governing body FIA this week, has scheduled the Bahrain Grand Prix for April 4 on the Bahrain Racing Circuit, which is being built at a cost of $150 million.
