Motor Sport: I'LL get Schu

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Mar 12, 2006 | by BYRON YOUNG in Bahrain

JENSON BUTTON vowed revenge in today's Bahrain Grand Prix after Michael Schumacher wrecked his dream start to the season.

The Ferrari legend stole pole in a thrilling three-way qualifying battle with the Frome Flyer and new team-mate Felipe Massa.

The Brazilian starts second for an all-Ferrari front row with Button third, with little more than a tenth of a second separating all three.

But the good news is that the 26-year-old British hope declared his championship credentials and proved the winter testing domination was not the "showboating" some had suggested.

After a year in the doldrums Ferrari leapt back to prominence to dominate the new-style Formula One.

Seven-time champion Schumacher snatched the 65th pole of his career to equal the only significant record that does not have his name against it.

And to do it he had to beat off the attentions of Massa, impressive on his Ferrari debut despite an earlier spin. Button, though, couldn't help at being disappointed not to have got the better of the Grand Master.

"Every driver wants to be higher," said Button. "Third is fantastic but I hope we can improve on this and make sure we finish higher in the race.

"Ferrari are looking very strong but no one knows what the fuel loads are. Sunday is the day that counts."

The German was just four-hundredths of a second quicker than Massa and the Brazilian in turn barely a tenth quicker than Button.

Equalling a pole record set by the sport's greatest driver Ayrton Senna a decade ago was added cause for the smile on Schumacher's face.

"I am proud to have equalled that," he said. "It was very exciting and with the red flag it was easy to make a mistake. Hero to zero is not very much."

It remains to be seen whether Massa will be capable of, or allowed to, challenge his team leader on equal terms.

With Button on different tyres to the Ferraris and the fuel loads of each unknown it could be a thriller - or a walkover either way.

The new V8 formula and especially a three-session knock-out formula provided buckets of drama combined with gale force winds and gusting sands that doubled the danger.

But Button will have to look to his rear as well as his front at the start. The fast-starting Renault of world champion Fernando Alonso sits alongside him in fourth with Juan Pablo Montoya, fifth.

"I'm pretty disappointed," said Alonso. "I made a mistake and had to do another lap and my tyres weren't in such good condition then."

But Kimi Raikkonen's disastrous weekend continued.

After grinding to a halt with electrical problems on Friday his suspension collapsed, wrecking the rear wing at the start of his first flying lap so he starts at the very back of the grid, his victory hopes gone.

If all season is this exciting, Formula One is on its way to full health.