1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 2 JP Montoya (McLaren) 3 J Trulli (Toyota) 4 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 5 R Schumacher (Toyota) 6 F Alonso (Renault) Qualifying as it happened

Michael Schumacher claimed the 64th pole position of his glittering career to secure a welcome boost ahead of Sunday's Hungary Grand Prix.

The seven-times world champion has struggled to mount a credible challenge in 2005 because of reliability and speed problems with his Ferrari.

But his time of one minute 19.882 seconds was almost a second quicker than McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya.

Championship leader Fernando Alonso made a late mistake to finish sixth.

His Renault ran wide and put a wheel off the track entering the finish straight costing the Spaniard time.

Alonso's error was compounded by a superb display by main rival Kimi Raikkonen.

We have a new tyre here and that is the main factor - the car is the same as last weekend Michael Schumacher

The Finn shrugged off the huge disadvantage of qualifying first by setting a benchmark that lasted until one-lap specialist Jarno Trulli took to the track.

Raikkonen will now start alongside Trulli on the second row of the grid giving him an excellent chance to return to winning ways on Sunday.

Jenson Button will start from the fourth row having set the eighth fastest time. British compatriot David Coulthard was off the pace on Saturday and could only qualify in 13th place.

But the day belonged to Schumacher, whose dazzling lap was reminiscent of drives during his dominant heyday.

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The German is now just one pole position behind the legendary Ayrton Senna's all-time record tally of 65.

Already the owner of almost every record in Formula One, Schumacher will be keen to overhaul the great Brazilian by the end of the season if at all possible.

Ferrari have been uncompetitive in recent races, but Schumacher said he felt an improved tyre from supplier Bridgestone had made the difference.

Ferrari are alone among the top teams in not using Michelin tyres.

"It is a little bit of a surprise to us, honestly, as it has been a big surprise to be as slow as we have been recently," he said.

"We have obviously changed the tyres substantially and it seems to pay off.

"We might have to find out if it is just a combination of many things, where this circuit suits the car and the tyres and everything, or if it is a general trend.

"We have a new tyre here and that is the main factor. The car is the same as last weekend."

First though, he will be looking for another Grand Prix win.

"We feel very delighted after a suffering period when things did not work in our favour," said Schumacher.

"I am pretty confident. There was no reason to not believe in Ferrari's return."

Hungary Grand Prix qualification:
1. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:19.882
2. Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren 1:20.779
3. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:20.839
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren 1:20.891
5. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:20.964
6. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:21.141
7. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari 1:21.158
8. Jenson Button (GB) BAR 1:21.302
9. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:21.333
10. Takuma Sato (Jap) BAR 1:21.787
11. Christian Klien (Aut) Red Bull 1:21.937
12. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Williams 1:22.086
13. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull 1:22.279
14. Felipe Massa (Bra) Sauber 1:22.565
15. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) Sauber 1:22.866
16. Mark Webber (Aus) Williams 1:23.495
17. Christijan Albers (Ned) Minardi 1:24.443
18. Narain Karthikeyan (Ind) Jordan 1:25.057
19. Robert Doornbos (Ned) Minardi 1:25.484
20. Tiago Monteiro (Por) Jordan