World champion Michael Schumacher believes he can still win the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, despite marking a career low in Saturday's qualifying.

The all-conquering German, who wrapped up his seventh world title in Belgium last month, spun off at the first corner and is set to start at the back of the grid on Sunday.

"If you know me, I never give up," said Schumacher, who has won 12 out of 15 races for Ferrari in a record-breaking season.

"I'm Michael Schumacher. I don't need to test my driving ability, but it's certainly interesting to do what I have to do from where I am now."

Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello, who won the last race at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza two weeks ago, took pole position ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren.

"The good thing is we have all the cars in a Ferrari sandwich," joked Schumacher. "One at the front, one at the back.

"I thought I had enough of this in Monza," added the 35-year-old, who fought back from 15th after a first-lap spin to finish second in Italy.

"Well, that's the way it is again. We need to find the explanation for it, which we haven't done yet. There's no obvious indication of what happened."

Schumacher had struggled in practice this week at the gleaming $325 million Shanghai circuit before spinning off in qualifying.

The German, who has never started so far back on the grid during his 210-race career, appeared mystified as to why he had lost control of his car.

"I'm not angry but I hope we find the answer why," he shrugged. "I don't want to say it's not a mistake of mine if it turns out to be but I think I would be a little bit surprised."