Nuerburgring, Germany ? Michael Schumacher rebounded from last week’s crash to capture the pole position for the European Grand Prix, the 60th pole of his career.

Schumacher, whose season-opening five-race winning streak ended at the Monaco Grand Prix, is closing in on Ayrton Senna’s record of 65 poles. This was the fifth pole of the season for the six-time Formula One champion.

“There is always some extra motivation from the fans at a home race,” the German driver said. “It is also good to be racing so soon after Monaco to put that disappointment behind me.”

Schumacher was timed in 1 minute, 28.351 seconds Saturday on the 3.2-mile Nuerburgring circuit and had the best times in each sector by a large margin.

After problems in Monaco last week and in practice for today’s race, Schumacher was superb.

The Ferrari driver limped out of the Monaco GP after 43 laps with his front left wheel dangling. Afterward, rival Juan Pablo Montoya complained again about the German’s driving.

“It’s good to get back in the rhythm and forget about last week,” Schumacher said. “You can’t change it anyway.”