Michael Schumacher still revved up for Monaco GP win

Michael Schumacher is still gunning for victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday despite a five-place grid penalty robbing him of the 69th pole position of his career.

The seven-time world champion turned back the clock to post the fastest time in qualifying, flying around the famous street circuit in one minute 14.301secs - 0.8secs quicker than Red Bull’s Mark Webber.

However, it will be the Australian speedster fronting the grid on Sunday afternoon as ‘Schuey’, now sixth, incurred a penalty for running into the back of Williams’ Bruno Senna during the Spanish Grand Prix last time out.

But the 43-year-old, who’s had woeful results since coming out of retirement two seasons ago to race for Mercedes, is confident of becoming a Monte Carle master again.

“I’m more than thrilled about getting pole here in Monaco,” the five-time winner in the principality said.

“To all of us this place is the track of the year, it has a very prestigious position, and to manage pole here after what I have gone through in the last two and a half years is fabulous.

“I told you guys in the press conference [on Thursday] my situation would be pole, start the race from sixth and then win it. That’s what I’m here for, what I’m aiming for, it’s all I have in my mind, and the past doesn’t matter at all.”

Webber added: “It was an amazing session, very close. Q3 was tight on the first few rows, with some different tyre strategies. In the end it was a good little battle. Michael did a good lap, but it’s nice to move up a position, and of all places be on the front here.”