23/10/2004
NEWS STORY
West McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen will start tomorrow's race from third position after setting a time of 1:10.892 in the final qualifying session of the 2004 session. Team mate David Coulthard's time of 1:11.750 was 13th fastest but he will start his 150th Grand Prix from 12th as Michael Schumacher will move 10 places down after changing his car and engine.
Kimi Raikkonen: "I have been happy with the car from the very beginning of my Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. The times are so close and I actually think we could have been on pole position. It was a good qualifying lap, but the rear was a bit loose at turns one and nine, so I might have lost a little bit of time. As always it's difficult to predict what will happen in the race, but I think we are in with a strong chance of ending the season on a high."
David Coulthard: "Obviously not the result I had hoped for in my last qualifying session for the team. I had a short moment at turn three and experienced some oversteer in the middle sector, which cost me precious time. A few people got caught out by the changing track conditions today including me. However, I know that my car has got the pace and I am looking forward to a strong race, I always go well here."
Ron Dennis: "An excellent lap for Kimi. Commiserations to David as the whole team would have loved for him to have a more successful final qualifying. I think we have a strong strategy for tomorrow and are looking forward to the race."
Norbert Haug: "An exciting qualifying session. Kimi did a strong lap and our strategy for tomorrow's race should see us in good shape. A shame for David to start his last race for the team from 12th - anyway he should be able to come in the points."