Schumacher's car was badly damaged in the crash

Schumacher will be demoted to 18th after setting only the eighth fastest qualifying time, 0.740secs slower than team-mate Rubens Barrichello's pole.

Schumacher was forced to switch to the spare car after the crash led to a fire in the engine bay of his race car.

Formula One rules say drivers must use the same engine throughout a weekend.

The world champion lost control on bumps at Interlagos' Ferra Dura turn and slammed backwards into a barrier.

Grandstand discussion area: Who will win in Brazil?

Schumacher's crash happened just two minutes before the end of the session and severely damaged the rear of his car.

"Very simply, I lost the car. I couldn't control it anymore, I went into oversteer, that's why I went off," he said.

Barrichello set a lap of one minute 10.229 seconds, with Schumacher set the second fastest, 0.123 seconds behind.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen was third, just ahead of team-mate David Coulthard.