Formula 1: Ralf Schumacher takes his first pole

Ralf Schumacher takes his first pole position in tomorrow's French Formula 1Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.

Birthday boy Ralf Schumacher celebrated in style by scorching to the first pole position of his career at the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.

The 26-year-old twice broke the lap record set by his brother Michael to take top spot on the grid for the first time in 76 attempts.

The Williams-BMW driver forced his triple world champion brother to accept second place on the grid in his Ferrari though the duo were separated by just 0.010 seconds.

David Coulthard, who badly needs to win Sunday's race to cut his 24-point deficit to the elder Schumacher, snatched third spot in the dying seconds from McLaren-Mercedes team-mate Mika Hakkinen.

Jarno Trulli took fifth place for Jordan from Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya in the other Williams.

Jaguar Racing's Eddie Irvine was 12th fastest after twice sliding off the circuit, permanently the first time as he was forced to run back to the garage to get into the spare car.

Jenson Button's hopes for an improved engine in his Benetton just about materialised as he finished 17th - missing out on 16th place to team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella in the final seconds.

But the session in scorching conditions was all about the battle between the Schumacher's who set up another first corner showdown - and this time it is Ralf who will have the edge of pole.

The Austria-based racer was angry with Michael after almost being forced into a wall by his big brother in last week's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and will be determined to wreak his revenge on Sunday..

Ferrari ace Michael had shattered Nigel Mansell's nine-year old lap record of one minute 13.864 seconds as he dominated the final practice sessions earlier on.

But Ralf quickly broke that on his first qualifying run only to see Michael immediately go quicker.

Ralf responded next time on the track to take the time down to 1:12.989 and twice saw his illustrious brother fail to match it, though the defending world champion got mighty close on his last qualifying run.

After seeing his brother fail with his final attempt, Ralf could afford a smile while sitting in the cockpit of his Williams.