By Alan Baldwin

Michael Schumacher moved closer to a record eighth Formula One crown on Saturday after eclipsing Renault rival Fernando Alonso in Japanese Grand Prix qualifying.

While Ferrari swept the front row at Suzuka, with Schumacher's Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa taking pole position for the second time in his career, champion Alonso qualified fifth behind both Toyotas.

Schumacher, who will retire at the end of the season as the most successful F1 driver ever, will clinch the title if he wins in Japan and Alonso fails to score.  "It's been a great weekend so far for us," beamed the German. "We are looking strong, we are on the first row and we have the Renaults on the third row and that's a very good starting place for the race."

Alonso should be able to keep the title battle alive until Brazil on October 22. But the Spaniard could do without having Schumacher's younger brother, Ralf, and Toyota team-mate Jarno Trulli acting as a potential buffer between him and the man he has to beat.

Schumacher leads Alonso 7-6 on race wins, with Suzuka the penultimate round of the championship, after levelling the points tally at 116 each with his sensational victory in China last weekend.

"This result is OK, I think," said Alonso, trying to put a positive spin on the day's events. "Of course the position is not ideal for the championship fight, but we have seen big turnarounds already this season. There is nothing to say it cannot happen again tomorrow."

Schumacher can expect Massa to let him through for maximum points at one of the Ferrari great's favourite circuits, where he has won six times before.  "I'm pretty happy where I am and he did a great job," said Michael. "We are not fighting that much against each other, we are working together and therefore I'm happy it's him."

Alonso has his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella alongside in sixth place. Honda's Jenson Button and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello filled the row behind with Germany's Nick Heidfeld ninth in a BMW Sauber, and compatriot Nico Rosberg 10th for Williams.

McLAREN WOES

McLaren, in serious danger of ending the season without a win for the first time since 1996, failed to get either of their cars into the top 10. Kimi Raikkonen, Schumacher's replacement at Ferrari next season and last year's winner at Suzuka from 17th place on the starting grid, qualified 11th, while Spanish team-mate Pedro de la Rosa was 13th.

"I do not really understand what the problem was as the car didn't feel too bad," said Raikkonen. "We were just too slow, but it's not impossible to still get a decent result."

Polish rookie Robert Kubica ended his 100 percent record of qualifying in the top 10 with 12th place for BMW Sauber in his fifth grand prix start.  Japan's Sakon Yamamoto, who finished a grand prix for the first time in China last weekend, failed to set a timed lap at his home circuit and starts last for Super Aguri.