Schumacher puts Ferrari on pole in Bahrain

MANAMA, Mar 11 (Reuters) Ferrari's Michael Schumacher took pole position for tomorrow's season-opening Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.

Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa joins him on the front row in his first race for Ferrari while Briton Jenson Button, in a Honda, and Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso line up together on the second row.

Seven times world champion Schumacher equalled Brazilian Ayrton Senna's record of 65 career pole positions and was the first driver to secure pole under Formula One's new qualifying format.

Drivers fought through two knockout sessions before a final 20-minute scramble for pole.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, last year's runner-up, was the big casualty after he failed to complete a timed lap in the first session due to a suspected suspension failure.

REUTERS AY HS1802