03/09/2005
NEWS STORY
Team McLaren Mercedes driver Juan Pablo will start tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix at Monza from pole position setting a lap time of 1:21.054. On the last lap of the fourth practice session Kimi Raikkonen suffered an engine failure and subsequently it had to be changed before the qualifying session. As a result Kimi will have to take a ten place penalty on the starting grid and will start from 11th position, having set the fastest time (1:20.878) during qualifying.
Kimi Raikkonen: "Unfortunately, I can not make the best use of my qualifying performance which would have been pole position. Having to start from 11th position I face a difficult race but it was the best I could achieve. However the speed of our car is so good, which means I still see a chance of moving up the field and you never know what happens."
Juan Pablo Montoya: "A clean and fast lap and I am pretty happy with my performance. It is good to start from the front, and I now need a trouble free run to the first corner. To get through there without problems is crucial. Unfortunately Kimi has to start from 11th, but a lot is still possible. We will give it our all to win the race and close the gap in both the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championship.
Ron Dennis: "Today's qualifying session has shown how strong our team is. Juan Pablo had a great, clean, well driven lap doing exactly what was necessary to put him on pole. Both drivers' strategies give them every opportunity to win but of course it is going to be somewhat easier for Juan Pablo. Kimi's lap was sensational, but due to the penalty after the fourth free practice session we had to change our strategy, making Kimi's performance more impressive. He is still in with a chance of winning if he can keep out of trouble in the run to the first chicane. With Juan Pablo on pole position we have a solid basis for fighting for the victory tomorrow."
Norbert Haug: "Kimi's and Juan Pablo's qualifying laps were first class and starting with both cars from the front row would have been the best reward for all the efforts the team has put in. Following Kimi's engine change due to an inlet valve failure, the team altered their strategy. Taking this into account Kimi's lap time is even more special. With the speed and performance of his car Kimi can still achieve a top result if there will not be any problems at the first or second chicane after the start. Everybody in the team will remain positive and give it their all for top results tomorrow. In the meantime it is very clear that we have to improve our reliability. This is clearly being addressed within Mercedes-Benz in Brixworth and I am sure that everybody will do a thorough job to achieve total reliability in the same way as we have achieved the speed of our package."