Suzuka, Oct 12: Rubens Barrichello in pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix. Title favourite Michael Schumacher of Germany will start Sunday's (October 12) decisive Japanese Grand Prix from the lowest grid position of his Ferrari career and behind championship rival Kimi Raikkonen of Finland. But the German, who qualified 14th after a lap marred by rain, could take heart in a grid that still left him on course for a record sixth championship with team mate Brazilian Rubens Barrichello on pole. Schumacher needs just one point from the season-ending race at Suzuka to be sure of beating Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's record and he will not even need that if McLaren's Raikkonen fails to win. The Finn qualified eighth after crashing his car in practice and taking team mate David Coulthard's for qualifying and the race. Sunday will be Schumacher's lowest grid position since his Benetton days when he started the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix from 16th place. But he still won that race and ended the year as champion.


Until Saturday (October 11), Schumacher had started the last five Japanese Grands Prix from pole position and has also won the last three.

Bureau Report