Felipe Massa beat Michael Schumacher to pole position in Saturday's qualifying for the Japanese GP.

Massa snatched pole position right at the end of a session dominated by the scarlet duo while Schumacher's World title rival Fernando Alonso will start back in fifth position alongside his Renault team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

The Toyota pairing of Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli separated the Ferraris from the Renaults after an impressive display by the Japanese team while the Hondas of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello filled row four, with the Briton in seventh.

The race will be the fifth time this season that Ferrari will cover both positions on the front row, making Alonso's hopes of retaining his world title increasingly difficult.

Full report to follow...

Times
01 F. Massa Ferrari 1:29.599
02 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:29.711
03 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:29.989
04 J. Trulli Toyota 1:30.039
05 F. Alonso Renault 1:30.371
06 G. Fisichella Renault 1:30.599
07 J. Button Honda 1:30.992
08 R. Barrichello Honda 1:31.478
09 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:31.514
10 N. Rosberg Williams 1:31.856
11 K. Räikkönen McLaren 1:30.827
12 R. Kubica BMW 1:31.094
13 P. de la Rosa McLaren 1:31.254
14 M. Webber Williams 1:31.276
15 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:31.943
16 C. Albers Spyker MF1 1:33.750
17 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:32.252
18 R. Doornbos Red Bull 1:32.402
19 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:32.867
20 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:33.555
21 T. Monteiro Spyker MF1 1:33.709
22 S. Yamamoto Super Aguri no time

So looks like Alonso has his 2nd WDC. All he has to do is finish in the top 8 next race!

well ... finishing 8th or above isn't hard.

but heres the thing.

engine failure or DNF is not uncommon
Michael winning a race is not uncommon

I'm not completely convinced yet that alonso will win. only about 75% sure.

i hope they dont set up massa to .. you know .... drive alonso out. its sad that i can pass a statement like that because we all know schumi is capable ...

Ermm. Not a chance. I mean I'll fully admit to Schumi being the devious type but there is no way they could get away with that.

As for the upcoming Brazilian race I'm going to say Ferrari will be quicker then Renault but Raikkonen will be the man leading the pack judging on past Mclaren performance in Interlagos.....................................unless the team orders for Raikkonen kick in early

Perhaps

Though Im sure he would want to prevent Mclaren having their first winless season since 1996.

BTW - Hamilton wont race in Brazil which is good IMO. I want to see him debut in Melbourne

Lewis Hamilton's dream has been realised as McLaren have confirmed he will partner reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso for the 2007 Formula One season.

The 21-year-old Briton will become the first black driver to compete in the sport.

"It's a dream come true," said Lewis.

"To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me."

It was at the age of 10 Hamilton first approached team principal Ron Dennis at an awards dinner and informed him he wanted to race for McLaren in Formula One.

Taken by Hamilton's enthusiasm, the youngster was inducted into the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Programme from its inception in 1998.

Hamilton showed his promise by winning the McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future karting series that year.

As he continued to develop, Hamilton went on to dominate the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship, winning 10 of 15 races.

After winning the Formula 3 Euro series in 2005, Hamilton followed up by becoming GP2 Series champion this year, leading to his first test for McLaren in September.

"I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn't be where I am today without their continued support and guidance," added Hamilton, whose parents emigrated from the Caribbean island of Grenada in the 1950s.

"However I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me.

"But the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity. I will work hard to get good results."

Dennis, not normally renowned for taking such gambles with his driver line-up, is confident Hamilton will live up to his rich promise.

"Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy, and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula 1 racing driver," said Dennis.

"Pedro (de la Rosa) has done an outstanding job for us this season but we felt it was the right time to provide Lewis with this opportunity.

"It's obviously going to be the biggest challenge of his career so far, but it's one we are sure he will be able to meet.

"He is coming into the paddock for the first time as a Formula 1 racing driver and will have to familiarise himself with the pressures of a grand prix weekend.

"However, the confidence we have in Lewis' abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance."

Norbert Haug, vice president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, insists Hamilton deserves his opportunity.

"Lewis is a gifted driver who has proved his talent with two consecutive title wins - 2005 in the Formula 3 Euro Series and this year in the GP2 Series," said Haug.

"McLaren and Mercedes-Benz have supported Lewis already for nine years. He was half as tall as he is today when he started in karting.

"It's clear Lewis has less experience in comparison to the other 21 Formula 1 drivers in grand prix cars.

"However, extensive tests during the coming months will prepare him for his first season.

"I am very glad that a guy like him gets his deserved chance."

Dennis has opted for Hamilton ahead of de la Rosa, who will revert to his role as test driver after racing for McLaren for the final eight races of the season following Juan Pablo Montoya's departure.

Gary Paffett will continue in his role with the team working on the test and engineering programme alongside Hamilton, Alonso and de la Rosa.

some sad new re: Clay Regazzoni

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/56036