Alonso thinks he's dreaming

Fernando Alonso can't quite believe his maiden pole position in today's qualifying session for the Malaysian Grand Prix and thinks he is perhaps dreaming. The Renault driver set the pole time of 1:37.044 about half way through Saturday's session, ...

Fernando Alonso can't quite believe his maiden pole position in today's qualifying session for the Malaysian Grand Prix and thinks he is perhaps dreaming. The Renault driver set the pole time of 1:37.044 about half way through Saturday's session, before the big guns of Ferrari and McLaren had come out. By the end of the hour Alonso remained on top, even Michael Schumacher not able to better the Spaniard's time.

Pole winner Fernando Alonso celebrates.

Photo by Renault F1.

"It's a very special day for me," said a somewhat amazed Fernando. "I feel like I am dreaming and haven't woken up! I was aiming for a good place on the grid and expected to slip down the times at the end of the session. And then it didn't happen, right up to the end Michael's lap: it was a nice surprise!"

It's an all Renault front row for the start of the race at the Sepang circuit tomorrow, Jarno Trulli lining up alongside Alonso in the second slot: "It's really an excellent result," said the Italian. "The team has made big strides forward after a difficult winter. It's up to us to make the most of it tomorrow now."

Renault evidently ran light fuel loads to gain the maximum advantage in qualifying, although how it translates in tomorrow's race is yet to be seen. However, technical director Mike Gascoyne is confident the team is on the right strategy.

"We wanted to be competing for places on the first three rows, and are a bit surprised to end up where we are," said Gascoyne. "Above all, this performance is thanks to the drivers: they both did perfect laps. We are confident for tomorrow, because we think we are on the right strategy. We didn't compromise anything for the race."