The super Spaniard edged out Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher in an enticing final qualifying battle at Sakhir circuit.

Schumacher put on a dazzling performance to pip the Toyota of Jarno Trulli for top position with only Alonso left to run.

But the three tenth lead the Renault had built on Saturday afternoon proved too much for Schumacher, Alonso crossing the line for pole position with another comfortable advantage.

Trulli, who could only manage the fifth fastest time, dropped off the front row for the first time this season and will start the race from third.

Third fastest in the session was the second of the Toyotas, Ralf Schumacher.

The German completed a satisfying morning for the Schumacher family with his impressive time moving him up five grid positions from 11th to sixth.

Williams’ Mark Webber and Red Bull’s Christian Klien made one-place gains to fifth and seventh respectively.

McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen dropped four places to ninth.