IMOLA, Italy - Jenson Button beat Michael Schumacher on Saturday for the San Marino Grand Prix pole, breaking the Ferrari star's run of three straight poles to open the year.
Schumacher, who won the season's first three races, lost control slightly and swerved in the final section, placing him in the second front-row spot for today's Formula One race.
Button, a surprising third in the previous two races in Malaysia and Bahrain, covered the 3.058-mile Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in 1 minute, 19.753 seconds, a track record.
"It's a fantastic feeling to get pole here, especially on Ferrari's home turf," the BAR Honda driver said.
Schumacher said he was pushing too hard after watching Button complete his record lap.
"I just overdid it a little at that point and I was actually lucky to stay on the circuit," he said.
Schumacher, who has 58 career poles, finished in 1:20.011. BMW Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya took the third spot on the grid in 1:20.212. Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, Rubens Barrichello, was fourth in 1:20.451.
Button's previous best qualifying results also came in Malaysia and Bahrain, when the British driver started third.
Button never had finished higher than fourth in 66 Grand Prix races entering this season.
Now he could cause problems for Schumacher in the German's bid for a seventh straight world title. He is right behind Ferrari's two drivers in the standings.
Button also is positioned to derail Schumacher's attempt for a sixth win in Imola.
