Monte Carlo: Michael Schumacher pipped world champion Fernando Alonso for the vital pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix after a controversial final qualifying session on Saturday.
The Ferrari ace produced a lap of one minute 13.898 seconds to hold off the Spaniard by 64 hundredths of a second on the famous street circuit.
But after Schumacher came to a halt on the penultimate corner at the end of the session he appeared to compromise Alonso's final flying lap and race stewards launched an inquiry.
Furious Renault officials had to race officials that the seven-time former champion had come off the track deliberately.
"He's just parking the car," Renault team boss Briatore told ITV television. "This is the way Ferrari manage."
A clearly upset Alonso could not hide his disappointment in the post-race press conference.
"After dominating for the whole weekend until the final lap it was not a good moment," he said.
On the tight and twisting Monte Carlo circuit, grid position is all-important and Schumacher would have a major advantage if the pole spot is upheld, as he bids to equal the late Aytron Senna's record of six wins in the principality.
Australia's Mark Webber took third fastest in his Williams and will be joined on the second row by McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen.
Finland's Raikkonen set the fastest two times in the initial two phases of the new style qualifying format, but seven-time champion Schumacher laid down an unbeatable marker early in the final top ten 'shootout'
At the end of the session, Schumacher, who trails Alonso by 15 points in the current standings, attempted to better his earlier effort.
But coming into the last but one corner he locked up the front of his car before sliding gently into the tire barrier.
Race officials frantically waved yellow flags to warn drivers behind, including Alonso, who were on their final qualifying efforts.
Alonso's Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella also appeared to be compromised and he provisionally starts on the third row with McLaren's Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2003 winner.
Schumacher's Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa will start from the rear of the grid after crashing only seven minutes into the qualifying session.
The 25-year-old Brazilian was left unhurt after his car slipped out of control and crashed into the barriers in Casino Square.
There was disappointment for Britain's Jenson Button, who was furious after his BAR-Honda appeared way of the pace and he could only manage 14th fastest, missing the top ten 'cut' for the first time this season.
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