Jensen Button Takes Honda to Montreal F1 Pole Ahead of Today's Race

"I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect to be so much quicker than the opposition," commented Button. "Before qualifying

Renault's Fernando Alonso and teammate Giancarlo Fisichella took third and fourth starting positions. (Photo: Renault F1 Team Limited)

I thought both the McLarens and the Renaults would be quicker than us."

Adding to the shakeup, runner up to the pole was an elated Michael Schumacher, who took second place only 0.258 seconds behind Button.

Renault's Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella took third and fourth, while Juan Pablo Montoya has finally upped his teammate Kimi Räikkönen as he becomes more acquainted with the McLaren team and its new car. Japanese driver Takuma Sato, who replaced Jacques Villeneuve in the BAR Honda at the tail end of the 2003 season, will start right behind in sixth place.

Next on the grid will be Räikkönen, in striking distance from the front runners, followed by local favourite, but still long shot Jacques Villeneuve driving the Swiss-based Sauber Petronas car, upsetting his

While track conditions have been ideal if not a bit too hot, melting the fresh tarmac in some of the tighter corners, it hasn't helped two teams that are expected to be higher up the field, Toyota and Williams BMW. (Photo: BMW WilliamsF1)

teammate Felipe Massa who only managed eleventh.

At 33 degrees Celsius ambient, and a scorching 53 degrees on the track, driving conditions are ideal if not a bit too hot, melting the fresh tarmac in some of the tighter corners.

But such conditions haven't helped two teams that are expected to be higher up the field, Toyota and Williams BMW. The former could only muster ninth and tenth places by Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher respectively, while the Williams teammates, Nick Heidfeld and Mark Webber lagged in the rear in thirteenth and fourteenth places respectively, with regular backbenchers Jordan and Minardi.