Formula 1

Belgian GP: McLaren Saturday qualifying notes

Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen will start the last European Grand Prix of the 2005 season at Spa from the front row after setting times of 1:46.391 and 1:46.440 respectively in today's qualifying. This is the ...

Published: Sep 10, 2005, 8:33 PM

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Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen will start the last European Grand Prix of the 2005 season at Spa from the front row after setting times of 1:46.391 and 1:46.440 respectively in today's qualifying. This is the team's first one-two qualifying position since the 2001 San Marino Grand Prix in 2001 and the 19th for McLaren Mercedes. It's also the team's seventh pole position of the season.

Juan Pablo Montoya:

"That was a nice and smooth lap. I was sitting in the car when I saw a few drops of rain and was thinking 'oh no'. However I think it just stopped when I went out and didn't affect my lap. The car was working well despite us only having limited time to work on the set-up, but we seem to have found the perfect balance between speed and grip."

"To get the front row is fantastic for both Kimi and I as it's just what the team needs at the moment. I think it will be an interesting race tomorrow, and I'm sure the weather will play some sort of role. From where I'm sitting it doesn't matter whether it's wet or dry, so let's see, and I'm sure it will be exciting either way."

Kimi Raikkonen:

"To have both Juan Pablo and myself on the front row is great and I'm really pleased. Second place is good, and we will work from there to get the best result we can. The car seems to be working well in both wet and dry conditions which is reassuring as it seems like it's going to rain tomorrow."

"My lap was OK, but I was not on the limit as there were a few drops of rain. I'm confident of a good result for myself and the team tomorrow -- we have definitely given ourselves the best possible basis today."

Ron Dennis:

"It goes without saying that the entire team is pleased with the outcome of today's qualifying. Both Kimi and Juan Pablo performed well, and the team's disciplined efforts during the changing weather conditions so far this weekend paid off."

"We are all looking forward to an exciting race tomorrow, and we are confident that with our strategy we will be in with a strong chance of success no matter whether it's wet or dry."

Norbert Haug:

"A perfect result and a great job by Juan Pablo, Kimi and the team, well done for the front row. Everybody made the best out of the limited running we have done so far this weekend."

"Taking our strategy into account we should be well prepared for tomorrow's race. However you will only see where you are in comparison to the competition once the race unfolds, and we see how the weather develops

Chassis allocation
Kimi Raikkonen: MP4-20 04
Juan Pablo Montoya: MP4-20 07
T-car (Kimi): MP4-20 05

-mclaren-

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