Schumacher takes Austrian Grand Prix pole

SPIELBERG, Austria May 17, 2003: The AP reported that Michael Schumacher edged Kimi Raikkonen to take the pole Saturday at the Austrian Grand Prix, setting up a front-row showdown between the top two drivers in the point standings.

The five-time Formula One champion was timed in 1 minute, 9.150 seconds on the 2.69-mile course. It is the third straight time Schumacher has the pole this season. Raikkonen clocked 1:09.189.

Schumacher had a small mistake in the first part of his qualifying but overcame it to finish first. He also had the fastest time in pre-qualifying Friday.

"It was a little wobble, a little rear locking which caused me to go wide," Schumacher said. "I was still lucky because I was still able to catch it just at the apex again . . . and then I had a good lap from then on."

Juan Pablo Montoya took third in a Williams-BMW, Nick Heidfeld in a Sauber was fourth and Rubens Barrichello was fifth.

After a rough start this season, Schumacher is now second in the driver standings, four points behind Raikkonen.

Last year at this race, Schumacher trailed teammate Barrichello from the start until the final straightaway. Then Barrichello obeyed team orders and moved over to let Schumacher win and strengthen his hold on the season standings.

Schumacher hardly needed the points -- he went on to win 11 of 17 races. But the governing body of Formula One racing, the FIA, imposed a $1 million fine on Ferrari for its improper conduct.

Rising F1 star Fernando Alonso, third in the season standings, went off the track into the gravel and will start in the last row. He had the pole at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Jarno Trulli clocked 1:09.890 for sixth.

Ralf Schumacher started first after spinning off in Friday's pre-qualifying. He clocked 1:10.279 to finish 10th in his Williams-BMW.

Jos Verstappen had troubles with his Minardi and failed to register a time, the third time in six races he has done that.