Montoya takes Monza pole

Juan Pablo Montoya led the way for Williams

Juan Pablo Montoya fought off the Ferrari challenge to take pole position for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The Colombian denied the impressive Rubens Barrichello and world champion Michael Schumacher, with Williams team-mate Ralf Schumacher back in fourth place.

McLaren were well off the pace as David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen finished down in sixth and seventh respectively, while Jarno Trulli's Jordan was fifth.

Williams were expected to dominate qualifying and were the first of the leading teams to leave the pits after 20 minutes.

Ralf Schumacher took pole with his first lap, only to see team-mate Montoya go faster moments later.

Michael Schumacher then briefly topped the standings before Montoya responded with a stunning lap of one minute 22:431 seconds - over two tenths faster than the world champion.

As Ralf Schumacher struggled to make the best of the Williams' performance, Montoya set the seal on pole position by increasing his lead.

Barrichello compounded a disappointing session for Michael Schumacher by going past his team-mate late in the session to take second on the grid.

As well as qualifying poorly, Hakinnen suffered the further indignity of crashing into the barriers moments before the end of the session, causing qualifying to be stopped.

The Finn escaped unhurt but the stoppage of 10 minutes meant all the cars returned to the track at the same time for the final four minutes of the session.

All the leading drivers managed another crack at pole but none could move up the standings.

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Grid positions for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix:

1 Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1 minute 22.216 seconds
2 Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:22.528
3 Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:22.624
4 Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams 1:22:841
5 Jarno Trulli (Italy) Jordan 1:23.126
6 David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1:23.148
7 Mika Hakkinen (Finland) McLaren 1:23.394
8 Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Sauber 1:23.417
9 Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Sauber 1:23.595
10 Pedro de La Rosa (Spain) Jaguar 1:23.693
11 Jenson Button (Britain) Benetton 1:23.892
12 Heinz Harald Frentzen (Germany) Prost 1:23.943
13 Eddie Irvine (Britain) Jaguar 1:24.031
14 Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Benetton 1:24.090
15 Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) BAR 1:24.164
16 Jean Alesi (France) Jordan 1:24.198
17 Olivier Panis (France) BAR 1:24.677
18 Enrique Bernoldi (Brazil) Arrows 1:25.444
19 Jos Verstappen (Netherlands) Arrows 1:25.511
20 Tomas Enge (Czech Republic) Prost 1:26.039
21 Fernando Alfonso (Spain) Minardi 1:26.218
22 Alex Yoong (Malaysia) Minardi 1:27.463