Colombia's Juan Pablo Montoya pumped up the pressure on title rival Michael Schumacher by scorching to the fastest time in first qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza today.
The Williams-BMW driver, who trails Schumacher by just one point with three races left, finished over half a second quicker than his Ferrari rival who was back in third place.
Montoya will leapfrog over the German and lead the championship for the first time ever if he wins Sunday's race - wherever the five-time world-beater finishes.
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, just two points off top spot in the drivers' standings, finished fifth fastest for McLaren-Mercedes over 1.3 seconds off Montoya's pace with Toyota's Cristiano da Matta fourth.
Montoya set the fastest lap in Formula One history last year and although he could not match that this time it was enough to give him the advantage of running last in final qualifying tomorrow.
Brazil's Rubens Barrichello, who had spearheaded a Ferrari one-two in first practice earlier, came closest as he finished just 0.1secs off Montoya's pace. But it was an afternoon of mixed fortunes for Williams with Ralf Schumacher having a nightmare outing on the track where he barrel-rolled out of testing last week.
The German, only given the all-clear to race last night, had his qualifying lap disqualified after he cut a chicane and he will be second out tomorrow after being saved from acting as the track cleaner because Minardi's Jos Verstappen did not take to the track today.
Mark Webber continued his impressive season for Jaguar Racing with the sixth quickest time eclipsing the Renaults of Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard who became the youngest driver in history to win a championship race in Hungary three weeks ago.
Team-mate Justin Wilson was unable to match that pace at the start of what is a vital weekend for the British rookie's future as he finished back in 15th spot - well over a second off Webber's time - though he has had gearbox problems today.
Jenson Button posted the 11th best time for BAR-Honda but it was another disappointing session for David Coulthard as he finished back in 14th spot in the other McLaren.
Hungary's Zsolt Baumgartner was 17th for Jordan after being called in to replace Britain's Ralph Firman who has been ruled out with vertigo.