the bar driver jenson button started the race alongside trulli on the front row, although the williams driver ralf schumacher had qualified second, he was demoted to twelfth for changing his engine. ralf schumacher had qualified on pole at monaco at the previous year's race. trulli's renault teammate fernando alonso qualified third, with michael schumacher eventually qualified fifth. michael schumacher was moved to fourth following his brother ralf's demotion. takuma sato qualified seventh after a fast time in the first sector of the circuit, but a driving error damaged his chances of a quick lap.