Michael Schumacher confirmed his sensational return to Formula One competition on Saturday when he grabbed pole position for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.

The German, world champion in 1994 and 1995, delivered a series of quickest laps and ended up almost a full second clear of his Ferrari team-mate Briton Eddie Irvine at the front of the grid.

Briton David Coulthard was third fastest in a McLaren Mercedes Benz ahead of his team-mate, world championship leading Finn and defending champion Mika Hakkinen who was fourth.

Briton Johnny Herbert in a Stewart was fifth and his teammate Brazilian Rubens Barrichello sixth.