Montoya fast but Barrichello first

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya clocked the fastest lap in Formula One history at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday but still failed to take p...

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya clocked the fastest lap in Formula One history at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday but still failed to take pole position.

The Williams driver, who held the previous record, lapped Monza at an average speed of 262.242 kph (162.949 mph) in pre-qualifying for the final European race of the season.

But Ferrari’s Brazilian Rubens Barrichello claimed the fastest ever pole position with an average speed of 260.395 kph over his final qualifying lap.

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Montoya’s previous best, set when he took pole position at Monza in 2002, averaged 259.827 kph.

With new regulations to slow the cars down due to beintroduced for safety’s sake next season, both men’s marks could last for some time.

Until 2002, the fastest lap had been unmatched for 17 years — Finland’s Keke Rosberg lapping at an average speed of 259.005 kph in a Williams in qualifying for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1985.

The Brazilian, chasing his first win of the season in the final European round of the year, lapped in one minute 20.555 seconds with Colombian Montoya second for Williams in 1:20.653.

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