28/05/2005
NEWS STORY
Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya will start tomorrow's European Grand Prix from second and fifth position on the grid respectively. Kimi set a lap time of 1:30.197 whilst Juan Pablo's time was 1:30.890. As of today the drivers' complete only one flying lap for a grid position. The results achieved on Saturday will be the starting order for tomorrow's 60-lap-race.
Kimi Raikkonen: "I am pretty happy with my result as we have a strong position by starting from the front row. The track conditions during the qualifying session were not as good as in the morning. I know I have a good race car and our strategy should be good. Our performance and lap times throughout both practice days were consistent. However it is difficult to say where we are compared to the other teams in terms of fuel load. As long as I get a good start in the race we should be looking good to challenge for a win."
Juan Pablo Montoya: "It was a not a bad lap, but I was suffering from low grip throughout, and I made a slight mistake in the high speed chicane which lost me three tenths of a second. As a result I qualified lower than expected, which is disappointing. After practice this morning we made some improvements to the set up of the car, and we have a strong strategy, so I am optimistic for a good race tomorrow."
Ron Dennis: "We are of course delighted to be on the front row and feel that our speed off the line coupled with our strategy should give Kimi every opportunity to have a strong race. Juan Pablo's fifth place position puts him on the clean side of the grid giving him a small but important advantage over the cars to the right of him. Whilst his lap was not perfect his race pace will be strong. The whole team looks forward to another sunny day at the Nürburgring."
Norbert Haug: "An exciting qualifying which saw Kimi finishing second with less than two tenths from pole position. His front row position and Juan Pablo's fifth place are a solid basis to perform well tomorrow, when we will see how the different strategies will influence the race. Congratulations to Nick Heidfeld on his first career pole position."