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Advantage Alonso after pole win

ANYBODY FOR A HIGH FIVE? Fernando Alonso celebrates his pole position in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Saturday. — PHOTO: AP

SHANGHAI: Season leader and defending champion Fernando Alonso took pole position on Saturday for the Chinese Grand Prix in wet conditions, while arch rival Michael Schumacher qualified sixth.

Alonso led qualifying with 1:44.360s at the 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit, almost 10 seconds slower than Friday's time in dry conditions. Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella was second with 1:44.992.

The varying conditions didn't bother the duo as the Renaults dominated qualifying, finishing 1-2 in all three sections. "We are very optimistic, we are very confident as we are quick in the dry and the wet," Alonso said.

It was the sixth pole for Alonso this season, but his first since June when he won his last race at the Canadian Grand Prix. He has 15 career poles.

Alonso hails team

"It was OK from the beginning. First in Q-1, Q-2, Q-3. There is nothing to say about the car. The performance of the team has been fantastic today," said Alonso, who won here last year from pole position.

"In these conditions we were really comfortable this time, so we took advantage. Of course we have to finish the job tomorrow," Alonso added.

However, he said he would prefer dry conditions on Sunday because the track was less dangerous, reducing chances of failing to finish the race.

Alonso credited his position to Renault's tyre suppliers Michelin which out-performed rivals Bridgestone comprehensively in the rain-soaked session.

Schumacher was the only Bridgestone driver to finish in the top ten.

"Of course, I'm confident, but I must thank the team and Michelin because they have given us a tyre that is unbeatable in the rains," Alonso said. Honda's Rubens Barrichello, who won the inaugural Chinese GP in 2004, was third with 1:45.503. Ferrari's Schumacher was sixth in 1:45.775, just behind McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen at 1:45.754.

Rain threatened throughout the morning, then fell harder just as qualifying began. More rain is forecast for Sunday's 56-lap race.

Schumacher had his troubles in the first two sessions, coming in 13th and ninth while Alonso led both. Felipe Massa was 14th and will start at the back of the grid because of a 10-place penalty due to an engine change.

Living on the edge

Alonso holds a two-point lead over seven-time champion Schumacher, and is looking to halt any further erosion of his lead entering the last three races.

"We know it is tight and it would be difficult to decide until the last race. We are looking forward to a good race, not only here but also in Japan and Brazil. The object is to finish ahead of Ferrari in all three races," he said.

Alonso led by 25 points after winning six of the first nine races. Since then, he hasn't won a race while Schumacher has won four. The German then announced his retirement following a fine victory at the Italian GP.

Still, he has repeatedly met with trouble at the state-of-the-art Shanghai track. He came in 12th in 2004 and finished dead last in 2005 amid spins, freak crashes and tire blowouts.

The top ten: 1. Fernando Alonso (Renault) 1:44.360, 2. Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault) 1:44.992, 3. Rubens Barrichello (Honda) 1:45.503, 4. Jenson Button (Honda) 1:45.503, 5. Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren) 1:45.754, 6. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) 1:45.775, 7. Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren) 1:45.877, 8. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1:46.053, 9. Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) 1:46.632, 10. Robert Doornbos (Red Bull) 1:48.021. — AP

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