Sizzling Schumacher turns heat on Hakkinen

SUZUKA, OCT. 7. A blistering last gasp effort by championship leader Michael Schumacher saw him snatch pole position from defending champion Mika Hakkinen in a dramatic qualifying session for tomorrow's Japanese grand Prix.

Hakkinen, the only man who can stop the German from taking the driver's title, looked to have sealed pole spot with a stunning 1 minute 35.834 Seconds lap with seven minutes to go.

But with only two minutes left in the session, the 31- year-old Schumacher went out and shaved nine thousands of a second off the Finn's time to send the Ferrari-crazy Japanese fans into a frenzy.

But Schumacher warned that it was too early to start celebrating. ``The job is not finished,'' he said.

``There is no point in celebrating now. Pole is nice but it is not the end result. It is not over yet but we have made a good start. We have the best opportunity to win the race and finish the championship.''

With only two races left, Schumacher has an eight- point lead and victory here tomorrow will give Ferrari their first driver's championship for 21 years and the German his third title.

Hakkinen, looking for his third successive championship, needs to beat Schumacher tomorrow and then fight it out at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the final race of the season, in a fortnight's time.

David Coulthard, in the second McLaren, and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello are on the second row followed by the Williams duo of Jenson Button and Ralf Schumacher.

Today's success is Schumacher's third pole in a row here but each time he has failed to win. ``It is vital we get a good start tomorrow, something we have not done well here,'' he admitted. ``Then to drive the car home, which will be difficult.''

Last year Schumacher spun his rear wheels when the green light went off and allowed Hakkinen to shoot into the lead and go on to win the race.

Hakkinen was unhappy he had failed to beat Schumacher during qualifying. ``Obviously I am disappointed,'' said a reserved Hakkinen afterwards. ``But I am happy with the car.''

Hakkinen insists there is no extra pressure on him as he tries to become only the second driver to win three championships in a row. The legendary Juan Manuel Fangio achieved it in the 1950's.

``There is no more pressure than before,'' insisted the Finn. ``The mission is to try and win because that is the only way to continue the fight.''

But the two days of practice in near perfect condition may be reduced to nothing if weather reports of rain during the race prove correct.

Schumacher is a master in the wet and Hakkinen admits that the 5.860km Suzuka circuit becomes a driver's nightmare.

``It is not a very easy track when it rains. It makes the race more difficult,'' he said. Last week Schumacher tested the new Bridgestone tyres at the Ferrari track in Maranello that included a special session when they flooded the track to try and copy what might happen here if the heavens open.

The Italian team has spared no expense in its attempt to end their 21-year losing streak, including making Schumacher the highest paid driver in the history of motor sport.

As the two best teams by far battle it out for the title, Williams look poised to put a lock on third place in the Constructor's title with button and Schumacher on the third row.

The Irish owned Jordon team, who had been hoping to close the gap, could manage no better than eighth place with Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

``We have not done as well as we should have this season, for various reasons,'' admitted team owner Eddie Jordan.

Jaguar's Eddie Irvine finally had something to smile about when he clocked seventh fastest. The Ulsterman used to race Formula 3000 in Japan and considers the track his home away from home.

``I'm really pleased it all Came together today. We've got to cash in tomorrow and end the weekend with a points' finish. We've got through a lot of work over the last two days and we are due for a reward for those efforts,'' said Irvine.

It was not such a good day for teammate Johnny Herbert who leaves the team after Malaysia. He was fined $3,000 for breaking the pit lane speed limit.

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