Schumacher Tops Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) Michael Schumacher took the pole position for the 50th time in his Formula One career Saturday, topping qualifying for the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.

Schumacher, the German star who clinched his fifth world championship three months ago, had a fast lap of 1 minute, 31.317 seconds on the 3.636-mile Suzuka track.

"Obviously, it's no secret we have a great car," the Ferrari driver said. "It's quite fun to drive out there."

Schumacher, seeking his third straight Japanese Grand Prix victory Sunday, has won seven poles this season and is second on the career list behind Ayrton Senna (65). Schumacher has a record 10 victories this year to push his record total to 63.

Qualifying was delayed for more than an hour after a crash by Scotland's Allan McNish that broke a barrier.

After McNish - who was not seriously injured - lost control in a fast curve, his Toyota bounced over a curb, spun around and went backward into the barrier, splitting the second and third rails.

"The car suddenly snapped into a big over-steer and I reversed heavily into the barrier," McNish said. "My natural instinct was to make sure everything was in working order. Thankfully it was.

"I feel fine. I have had a checkup and my knee is sore, but I'm confident of getting back into the car tomorrow."

Rubens Barrichello, Schumacher's Ferrari teammate and a four-time winner this year, qualified second in 1:31.749. He said the delay because of McNish's crash disrupted his routine.

"It was a question of getting concentration back," Barrichello said. "It was like testing. You go out, come back."

David Coulthard was third in a McLaren-Mercedes at 1:32.088. Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren, who led Friday's practice, was fourth, followed by Williams teammates Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. McNish ended up 18th.