Juan Pablo Montoya (Team McLaren Mercedes) will start tomorrow�s Belgian Grand Prix from the prime spot on the grid � Michelin�s 97th Formula One pole position. The Colombian lapped the 6.976- kilometre (4.335mile) circuit � the longest on the world championship calendar � in 1m 46.391s, just 0.049s quicker than team-mate Kimi R�ikk�nen.

Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault) completed a Michelin clean sweep of the top three, but the Italian has been penalised 10 grid positions in the wake of an unscheduled engine change. Jarno Trulli (Toyota/Michelin) will thus take his place. Fernando Alonso (Renault) will start fourth as he bids to wrap up the world title. Fellow Michelin runners Ralf Schumacher (Toyota, fifth), Felipe Massa (Sauber- Petronas, seventh � his highest grid position of the season), Jenson Button (B�A�R -Honda, eighth), Mark Webber (BMW WilliamsF1 Team, ninth) and Takuma Sato (B�A�R -Honda, 10th) will also line up in the top 10.

Following yesterday�s adverse weather conditions, drivers were given more time to finalise their tyre choice for the weekend. They didn�t have to nominate their preferred compound until midday today, after the final two free practice sessions.

Michelin drivers were comfortably quickest in this morning�s free practice. World championship leader Fernando Alonso (Renault) lapped in 1m 46.307s, 0.337s faster than title rival Kimi R�ikk�nen (McLaren Mercedes/Michelin).

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director
�It was quite a tense qualifying session, because we felt a few spots of rain just before the final five cars set out to complete their laps � and they were all Michelin runners. Fortunately for them, the conditions didn�t deteriorate and the grid has a fairly conventional look.
�The lack of running yesterday obviously hindered our routine, but we were able to do some excellent preparation work this morning and our prime and option tyres showed a good blend of speed and durability. Our partner teams have chosen to use both in tomorrow�s race.
�It remains to be seen what effect the weather might have during the next 24 hours, but Michelin is prepared for this grand prix with absolute confidence.�

Ron Dennis, McLaren Group chairman
��Preparations have been difficult this weekend, because of the bad weather during yesterday�s practice sessions, but ultimately things worked out for us and I�m delighted to say our Michelins worked perfectly.��

2005 Belgian Grand Prix - Main Page
2005 Belgian Grand Prix - Team and Driver Qualifying Reports Page

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