Jenson Button scored his first pole position of the season, and the second of his careeer in dominant fashion in this afternoon's qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix. The BAR Honda driver bounced back from the team's two-race ban and disappointing race at the Nurburgring to qualify over 0.2s ahead of Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

It was hot, humid and slightly overcast at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The BAR Honda garage exploded in delighted cheering when it became clear that Button was on pole position. Team mate Takuma Sato confirmed the team is competitive by qualifying sixth, 0.5s behind his team mate.

In what seemed to be a session of comebacks Michael Schumacher found himself back on the front row of the grid in second place. There was dismay for his team mate however as Barrichello's engine failed on the end of his warm-up lap. The Brazilian will start from the back of the grid.

The two renaults of Fernando Alonso consolidated their position ahead of McLaren with third and fourth positions. Montoya got the better of Raikkonen today in fifth while the Finnis driver ended seventh, having to run earlier than he would have liked after his retirement from the European Grand Prix.

Jacques Villeneuve gave his home fans something to cheer about with a great drive to eighth place. The Canadian was determined to fight back after a number of differences with team chief Peter Sauber following the now infamous incident with Massa at Monaco. Massa ended up eleventh - both Saubers looking good for some points and to out-score their target team of Red Bull.

David Coulthard was only twelfth for Red Bull, the team struggling for pace at this circuit while Christian Klien was a lowly sixteenth. It was also a disappointing session for both Toyotas qualifying in ninth and tenth.\

Final mention must go to Christijan Albers who put in a fearless lap - coming within millimetres of the wall at the final corner as he recorded the fifteenth fastest lap, ahead of a Red Bull and both Jordans - which looked incredibly unstable on track.

2005 Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying

Pos No Driver Team Laps Time

1 3 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1:15.217

2 1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:15.475

3 5 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:15.561

4 6 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:15.577

5 10 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.669

6 4 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 1:15.729

7 9 Kimi R

 

Any reports trackside?

 

GREAT clean lap for JB! Congrats to him and the team.

BUT

I suspect they're extremely light on fuel. 12kph slower than the Ferrari and Renault confirms they're picking up speed in the corners where a a lighter car will benefit most.

I'll be watching intently on sunday.

GO BAR!!

 

Im wondering if Mclaren is full of fuel cause thats etremely slow for their race pace. But congrats to Honda and Button for the pole. Notice that aerodynamic wing???? just behind the front wheel. I think Sato hit a 1.14 during the second free practice.

As for Button's fuel load will see tomorrow.

 

Nice to see you back again S2000 driver.

 

Way to go JB but I'm hoping MS gets off the snide.