Schumacher wins Monaco qualifying, but Webber starts from pole

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Published time: May 26, 2012 13:49
Edited time: May 26, 2012 20:14

Five-place penalty won’t allow F1 legend, Michael Schumacher, top the grid at the start of the Monaco Grand Prix, despite being the fastest in qualifying.

­Schumacher’s result of 1 minute 14.301 seconds was unreachable for his rivals in the third segment of the qualifying session on Saturday.

But the seven-time champion won’t be able to celebrate his first pole position after his Formula 1 comeback this time.

The 43-year-old was punished by the stewards for crashing into Bruno Senna of Williams at the previous race in Barcelona and will begin the race from fifth spot.

"I am more than thrilled and excited about making pole here in Monaco,” Schumacher said. “Monaco to all of us is the track of the year with a very prestigious position and to manage pole here after what I have gone through in the last two and a half years is just fabulous.

“I told you guys already that my situation is going to be that I will be on pole, start the race in sixth and go on to win it. And that’s what I’m going to aim for. That’s all I have in my mind and the past doesn’t matter at all,” he added.

If not for the penalty it would’ve been his 69th career pole for the German.

The first spot on the grid went to Mark Webber of Red Bull, who clocked the second best time.  

The Aussie driver will be accompanied by Schumi’s Mercedes partner, Nico Rosberg, on the front row.

The drivers, who are tied for championship lead, Ferrari’s Fernado Alonso and Sebastian Vetter of Red Bull will occupy 6th and 10th starting position, respectively.

Caterham’s Vitaly Petrov once again failed to make it to Q3. The Russian will begin the race in 19th spot, right behind teammate, Heikki Kovalainen.