Juan Pablo Montoya claimed his third pole in four attempts at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza today.
The Colombian took top spot in his Williams-BMW for tomorrow's race by 0.312 seconds from Rubens Barrichello, who out-qualified team-mate Michael Schumacher for the first time this season.
World champion Schumacher, who has clearly been affected by the horrific events in the United States, finished in third spot in a session that was halted four minutes from the end after Mika Hakkinen suffered a 100mph accident.
Hakkinen, who announced yesterday that he is taking a break from Formula One next season, lost control of his McLaren Mercedes after he drifted too far onto the gravel at a right-handed corner.
The McLaren snapped sideways and he hit a steel barrier at 45 degrees - losing his left-front wheel in the process - but immediately stepped from the cockpit.
Hakkinen, who is being replaced by young countryman Kimi Raikkonen who finished ninth for Sauber, eventually qualified in seventh spot just behind team-mate David Coulthard.
Ralf Schumacher took fourth spot in a Williams-BMW that was expected to have a performance advantage on the famous old high-speed circuit while Jarno Trulli was fifth for Jordan. Alesi finished in 16th in the other Jordan.
Eddie Irvine finished in 13th spot and was out-qualified by fellow Jaguar Racing driver Pedro de la Rosa for the fifth race in succession as the Spaniard posted the 10th-best time.
Jenson Button, who needs a strong end of season to boost his chances of remaining at Benetton next season, out-qualified outgoing team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella for only the third time this year with 11th place - his best of the campaign - with the Italian three places further back.
Montoya, determined to mark his maiden season with a victory, and Ferrari rival Schumacher dominated the session before the South American posted a time that could not be beat.
But it was Barrichello who came closest ensuring that for the first time since the last race in Italy - the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola - neither of the Schumachers will start on the front row.
But four-time champion Michael, whose Ferrari was devoid of sponsors' logos and had its nose painted black as a mark of respect to those that lost their lives this week, is unlikely to be bothered as he clearly would rather be somewhere else this weekend.
Debutants Tomas Enge of the Czech Republic and Malaysia's Alex Yoong qualified in 20th and 22nd places respectively for Prost and European Minardi.
PA