QUALIFYING RESULT 1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 1:33.074 2 M Webber (Jaguar) 1:33.715 3 R Barrichello (Ferrari) 1:33.756 4 JP Montoya (Williams) 1:34.054 5 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 1:34.164 6 J Button (BAR) 1:34.221 7 R Schumacher (Williams) 1:34.235 8 J Trulli (Renault) 1:33.264 9 D Coulthard (McLaren) 1:34.602 10 C da Matta (Toyota) 1:34.917 Full qualifying result Qualifying photos Webber keeps hopes in check

The world champion set pole position with a lap 0.641 seconds faster than second placed Mark Webber of Jaguar.

Schumacher's time of one minute 33.074 seconds was a new lap record at Sepang.

Rubens Barrichello was third for Ferrari, with Juan Pablo Montoya fourth, and Britons Jenson Button and David Coulthard sixth and ninth.

Schumacher's pace was dispiriting for his rivals, who had hoped the 37C heat of Malaysia would work against Ferrari.

The Italian team have struggled in the high temperatures and humidity there in the last two seasons, but work by their tyre supplier Bridgestone on solving that problem has paid off.

Schumacher said on Saturday even he had been impressed by his time.

"Everything was perfect. It was a mind-blowing lap, I have to say," he said.

"We just got everything spot on. It can be a bit tricky here and a bit of a knife edge but we have managed to put pressure on our opponents, which I'm very happy about.

"We were looking in difficulties yesterday but managed to work the car very well and put it back on the road.

Qualifying in pictures Lap Sepang with Jarno Trulli

"Malaysia is known to be the hardest race and, inside the cockpit, the heat does make it very hard work," added the German.

"We know we still have a race to do. We expected it would be tight here and we anticipate a real battle."

It was the 57th pole of his career, putting him only eight behind the all-time record of 65, held by Ayrton Senna.

Schumacher had been only fourth fastest in the first qualifying session, behind the two Renaults and McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen.

But Fernando Alonso, who was fastest in the first session, spun off on his qualifying lap when on course for second place.

Raikkonen flattered to deceive and could only manage fifth

The other Renault driver, Jarno Trulli, admitted to making "a number of mistakes" on his lap and was a disappointing eighth fastest.

Raikkonen could only manage fifth fastest on the decisive second run.

Instead, Webber was the only man able to beat at least one of the Ferraris.

The result is particularly bad news for Ferrari's main rivals Renault, Williams and McLaren because their Michelin tyres drop off in performance for a few laps after their first flying lap.

That means Schumacher, with a clear track in front of him, could build a huge advantage in the early laps of the race, rendering the Grand Prix more or less over before the first pit stops.