QUALIFYING FROM MELBOURNE.

Ferrari wrap up front row and look to take the race win.

QUALIFYING REPORT

It was business as usual for Michael Schumacher in Melbourne today as the world champion scorched to pole position for tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix.

Schumacher proved he had suffered no ill-effects from Friday’s practice barrel roll as he scored the 33rd pole of his career.

And the German was joined on the front row of the grid by team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who completed Ferrari's domination of the opening qualifying session of the new season.

The day proved difficult for McLaren who never hit the sweet spot with the new MP4-16. Hakkinen had to push very hard to take third whilst David Coulthard had a terrible session. The Scot languished down in sixth after only managing to put together one decent lap.

Jordan were buoyed by a great performance by Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who joined Hakkinen on the second row. A great start for the team's new relationship with Honda.

Ralf Schumacher made it three Germans in the top-five with another strong run for Williams. Schuey Jr also had the honour of being the top Michelin runner on the French company's return to F1 after a 17-year absence.

The session was red flagged with 12 minutes to go after a heavy accident involving the Jaguar of Luciano Burti. The Brazilian suffered a suspension failure which pitched him off the circuit at the 120mph turn five.

When the track re-opened a flood of cars joined the circuit but few drivers managed to improve.

Sauber had a good day, although they failed to match the superb pace both Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld had shown earlier in free practice. Heidfeld made it into the top-ten to get a career best grid slot, while Raikkonen was an impressive 13th.

Jenson Button had his only high point in what has so far been a trying weekend. The new Benetton seems to be well off the pace but the young Brit at least managed to outpace team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella as the pair lined up 16th and 17th.

Final qualifying times from Melbourne

1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1m26.892s
2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1m27.263s   
3 HAKKINEN  McLaren Mercedes  1m27.461s
4 FRENTZEN  Jordan Honda  1m27.658s   
5 R.SCHUMACHER  Williams BMW  1m27.719s   
6 COULTHARD  McLaren Mercedes  1m28.010s   
7 TRULLI  Jordan Honda  1m28.377s 
8 VILLENEUVE  BAR Honda  1m28.435s   
9 PANIS  BAR Honda  1m28.518s   
10 HEIDFELD  Sauber Petronas  1m28.615s   
11 MONTOYA  Williams BMW  1m28.738s   
12 IRVINE  Jaguar  1m28.965s   
13 RAIKKONEN  Sauber Petronas 1m28.993s   
14 ALESI  Prost Acer 1m29.893s   
15 VERSTAPPEN  Arrows Asiatech 1m29.934s  
16 BUTTON  Benetton Renault 1m30.035s  
17 FISICHELLA  Benetton Renault 1m30.209s  
18 BERNOLDI  Arrows Asiatech 1m30.520s  
19 ALONSO  Minardi European 1m30.657s   
20 MAZZACANE  Prost Acer  1m30.798s   
21 BURTI Jaguar 1m30.978s   
22 MARQUES  Minardi European  1m33.228s