Alonso leaves Schumacher trailing

Fernando Alonso took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, with title rival Michael Schumacher down in sixth. The Renault driver was 0.632secs clear of his closest rival, team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, in one minute 44.360 seconds in Shanghai. Schumacher, struggling in the wet conditions in his Ferrari, was more than 1.2secs off the pace.

• Qualifying positions for Chinese Grand Prix:
• 1 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault, 1 minute, 44.380 seconds
• 2. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault, 1:44.992
• 3. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda, 1:45.503
• 4. Jenson Button (GB) Honda, 1:45.503
• 5. Kimi Raikkonen (Finn) McLaren-Mercedes, 1:45.754
• 6. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari, 1:45.775
• 7. Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes, 1:45.877
• 8. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber, 1:46.053
• 9. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber, 1:46.632
• 10. Robert Doornbos (Ned) Red Bull-Ferrari 1:48.021