Suzuka (Japan): Ferrari's Michael Schumacher moved closer to a record eighth Formula One crown on Saturday after eclipsing Renault rival Fernando Alonso in Japanese Grand Prix qualifying.
While Ferrari swept the front row, with Schumacher's Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa taking pole position for the second time in his career, champion Alonso qualified fifth and behind both the Toyotas.
Schumacher, retiring at the end of the season as the most successful driver the sport has ever seen, will clinch the title on Sunday if he wins and Alonso fails to score.
"It's been a great weekend so far for us," beamed Schumacher. "We are looking strong, we are on the first row and we have the Renaults on the third row and that's a very good starting place for the race."
Alonso should be able to keep the title battle alive until Brazil on October 22 but the Spaniard could do without having Schumacher's younger brother Ralf and Toyota team mate Jarno Trulli acting as a potential buffer between him and the man he has to beat.
Schumacher leads Alonso 7-6 on race wins in the standings, with Suzuka the penultimate round of the championship, after levelling the points tally at 116 each with his sensational victory in China last weekend.
"This result is okay, I think," said Alonso, trying to put a positive spin on the day's events. "Of course the position is not ideal for the championship fight, but we have seen big turnarounds already this season. There is nothing to say it cannot happen again tomorrow."
Bridgestone Dominant
Renault, a point clear of Ferrari in the constructors' championship, and partners Michelin were left reeling as the Bridgestone teams flexed their muscles on a sunny afternoon at the Japanese tyre maker's home circuit.
Ferrari, who have won six of the last seven races, and Toyota both use Bridgestone tyres while Alonso was the leading Michelin driver.
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"The weekend was supposed to be dry from today on...so we are looking pretty confident in that area and we see on the Bridgestone side that we are very strong and so are the Toyotas," said Schumacher. "That's a very good position for us, considering the race and the championship."
The German can expect Massa to let him through for maximum points at one of the Ferrari great's favourite circuits, where he has won six times before.
"I'm pretty happy where I am and he did a great job," said Schumacher. "We are not fighting that much against each other, we are working together and therefore I'm happy it's him."
Alonso has his team mate Giancarlo Fisichella alongside in sixth place. Honda's Briton Jenson Button and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello filled the row behind with Germany's Nick Heidfeld ninth in a BMW Sauber, and compatriot Nico Rosberg 10th for Williams.
McLaren Woes
McLaren, in serious danger of ending the season without a win for the first time since 1996, failed to get either of their cars into the top 10.
Kimi Raikkonen, Schumacher's replacement at Ferrari next season and last year's winner at Suzuka from 17th place on the starting grid, qualified 11th. Spanish team mate Pedro de la Rosa was 13th.
"I do not really understand what the problem was as the car didn't feel too bad," said Raikkonen. "We were just too slow, but it's not impossible to still get a decent result."
Polish rookie Robert Kubica ended his 100 per cent record of qualifying in the top 10 with 12th place for BMW Sauber in his fifth grand prix start.
Japan's Sakon Yamamoto, who finished a grand prix for the first time in China last weekend, failed to set a timed lap at his home circuit and starts last for Super Aguri.
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