Qualifying as it happened

The Italian clocked one minute 14.795 seconds to edge out Renault's Fernando Alonso (1.14.811) with McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen (1:14.819) in third.

Toyota's Ralf Schumacher, who was fastest in practice, faded towards the end and lapped in 1:14.870 for fourth.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher finished seventh in 1:15.398.

"Toyota is doing a great job and finally we are on top. I am a bit surprised to be [leading] to be honest as we were struggling with the car all morning," said Trulli.

It was probably my best lap in a Formula One car so far Fernando Alonso

"I did a great lap and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the team - we keep improving and it's a good result for all of us."

Trulli's split times were not the fastest in any section but he said: "Compared to everyone else I got it right everywhere.

"It was a bit windy so I was not confident to attack as I normally do."

Spanish fans cheer local favourite Fernando Alonso

Alonso, who has won the last three races, was elated with his performance in front of flag-waving home fans.

"It was probably my best lap in a Formula One car so far," he said.

"I did not run too much this morning as we had a little problem which meant I only did five laps so it was always going to be difficult to take the car to the maximum."

Raikkonen was annoyed with himself despite posting the third fastest time.

"I am a bit disappointed because I ran wide on corner two. I lost quite a bit of time. The car seems to be quick, I'm just not happy being third," he said.

"I feel we should have been quite a bit quicker. Anything can happen on Sunday.

"If you know you have half a second to come it's never a good thing. It could have been better."

Barrichello docked 10 grid places

A downbeat Michael Schumacher admitted his Ferrari was not as fast over one lap but insisted he felt more confident of his race pace.

"I have four tenths of a second [behind Kimi Raikkonen] to make up but you have to think about it as eight tenths really as they may be four tenths quicker again on Sunday, so we have to find a shortcut from somewhere," he said.

Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello lapped in 1:15.746 for ninth place but will drop 10 places on the grid after being forced to change his engine before Saturday's qualifying.

Trulli's qualifying laps are always so fluid and accurate but I guess there must be a question mark about his race pace From AP Have your say on Five Live

Williams' Nick Heidfeld, already docked 10 places on the grid, went round in 1:15.038 for fifth, one place ahead of Australian team-mate Mark Webber (1:15.042).

Giancarlo Fisichella (1:15.601) was eighth, with Scotland's David Coulthard (1:15.795) 10th in his Red Bull.

Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya was out first and set a target time of 1:15.601 for 12th on his return from a shoulder injury.

Times will be added to those from Sunday morning's second qualifying session to determine the final grid positions for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The race is a 115,000 sellout that will include 10,000 fans from Alonso's northern home region of Asturias, and Spanish King Juan Carlos.

Saturday qualifying results: