Schumis ready for showdown

Ralf Schumacher powered to his third pole position in four races on Saturday as Williams swept their rivals off the front row of the French ...

Ralf Schumacher powered to his third pole position in four races on Saturday as Williams swept their rivals off the front row of the French Grand Prix.

The German, who won at Nuerburgring last weekend to muscle into the title reckoning, took the first pole of his Formula One career in France in 2001 and left no doubt that he would again be the man to beat in Sunday’s race. His lap of one minute 15.019 seconds, for the fourth pole of his career, was 0.117 quicker than Colombian team mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who will start alongside him.

Ferrari’s championship leader Michael Schumacher, a six times winner in France, shares the second row with his closest rival, McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen. Schumacher leads Raikkonen by seven points, with Ralf third, 15 points behind his older brother.

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“The team did a great job, I just hope that we make a bit more out of it than we did in Montreal,” said Ralf. The Williams team’s last front row sweep was at the Canadian Grand Prix last month when Michael Schumacher won and Ralf followed him for lap after lap.

“The Ferrari is very strong in the first sector, through the first two turns, so we need to watch our back a bit,” added Ralf, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Monday.

McLaren’s David Coulthard lined up alongside Italian Jarno Trulli in a Renault on the third row. (Reuters)

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