Indianapolis (USA): Five-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher blitzed the field on Saturday, sweeping to the top spot of the grid at the United States Grand Prix for the third year in a row.

Schumacher, who earned his sixth pole of the season and 49th of his career, steered his Ferrari to the fastest lap ever at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a time of 1min 10.790sec.

"It is a fantastic feeling to be out there and hear the roar," said Schumacher, who won in Indianapolis in 2000. Ferrari is known in America. The atmosphere is very special."

The German ace lines up on the starting grid for Sunday's 73-lap race ahead of teammate Rubens Barrichello (1:11.058) and McLaren driver David Coulthard, who was third-fastest with 1:11.413.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was fourth in 1:11.414 on the track which uses a portion of the speedway's famous oval that leads onto a section of track which then winds through the infield.

The Ferraris are looking extremely strong at Indianapolis as Michael Schumacher has reset the benchmark with each outing on the 2.606-mile circuit.

After taking the pole, Schumacher got out of his car and waved to the cheering grandstand, which made up a portion of the 30,000 racing fans in attendance.

Schumacher, who also led the morning practice times, was one of six drivers to complete laps quicker than last year's pole time of 1:11.708. The others were Barrichello, Coulthard, Montoya, Ralf Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

Agencies