Michael and Ralf Schumacher overcame fears about the health of their mother as they both grabbed places on the front row of the grid for tomorrow's San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.
Schumacher senior edged out younger brother Ralf by just 0.014 secs to claim his second pole position of the season for Ferrari and the 52nd of his career.
The Schumacher's 55-year-old mother, Elizabeth, is in a come in a Cologne hospital after a fall at her German home last week. The brothers spent much of last week by her bedside before flying direct to Imola for this weekend's race.
Schumacher will start from top spot after blasting his way to pole to displace Ralf whose long-term future at Williams-BMW is said to be under threat.
The speculation is that Schumacher will be replaced at the end of this season by Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella even though he will still have a year to run on his contract.
It was the first time the Schumacher brothers had both been on the front row of the grid since their home race at Hockenheim last year.
The duo have dominated the race in recent years with Schumacher senior winning three out of the last four attempts while Ralf scored his maiden win at Imola in 2001.
Michael, who has suffered his worst ever start to a campaign, said: "It's good to be back on top.
"I knew this was not going to be another straight forward season like last year and it was only a matter of time before it hit us.
"But it's a long season and we are 16 points behind the first driver after three races. But we have 13 races to go and there is a chance to make up the points.
Ralf said: "I thought after the first sector it was going to be difficult, but surprisingly I made it. I crashed this morning but the team did a great job."
Brazil's Rubens Barrichello qualified in third place for Ferrari with Juan Pablo Montoya fourth in the other Williams.
Mark Webber maintained his fine early season form with fifth place for Jaguar Racing to edge out the McLaren of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen.
Jordan's Giancarlo Fisichella, winner of the Brazilian GP a fortnight ago, came back down to earth with a bump this afternoon, trailing home in 17th while teammate Ralph Firman was 19th after a ragged qualifying lap when he locked up his wheelsbraking too late for a chicane.
Standings
1 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1min 22.327secs
2 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Williams 1:22.341
3 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari 1:22.557
4 Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) Williams 1:22.789
5 Mark Webber (Aus) Jaguar 1:23.015
6 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren 1:23.148
7 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BAR 1:23.160
8 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:23.169
9 Jenson Button (Gbr) BAR 1:23.381
10 Olivier Panis (Fra) Toyota 1:23.460
11 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber 1:23.700
12 David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren 1:23.818
13 Cristiano da Matta (Bra) Toyota 1:23.838
14 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Ger) Sauber 1:23.932
15 Antonio Pizzonia (Bra) Jaguar 1:24.147
16 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Renault 1:24.190
17
Giancarlo Fisichella(Ita) Jordan 1:24.317
18 Justin Wilson (Gbr) Minardi 1:25.826
19
Ralph Firman(Gbr/Ire) Jordan 1:26.357
20 Jos Verstappen (Ned) Minardi no time