German GP: McLaren Friday qualifying notes

Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard finished sixth and 11th fastest respectively in today's first qualifying session for the Mobil 1 German Grand Prix. Kimi set a time of 1:15.276 and David did a 1:15.557.

Kimi Raikkonen:

"My lap was not too bad as I only lost time in the last sector, and it was the first time today we ran with the new tyres and less fuel, so it was difficult to know how hard you could push. Everything is working well and the car is nice to drive. We will not see the true picture before tomorrow, so it's difficult to say where we will be."

David Coulthard:

"My time was pretty much the same as I did in this morning's practice where I was fastest. I wasn't as tidy in turn two and at the Hairpin on my qualifying lap, so I know that we can be quicker. It looks like the Michelin tyres are performing well here, so I'm expecting a close battle for pole position tomorrow."

Ron Dennis, Team principal:

"Just prior to today's qualifying session one of the support events had their practice and as a result the circuit conditions were less than ideal. Consequently both Kimi and David took a cautious approach to what at the end of the day is not a vital session. Overall the cars are performing well, and only tomorrow's qualifying will tell us what our true pace will be."

Norbert Haug, Mercedes motorsport direcotr:

"We haven't been able to show our optimum performance in today's qualifying session yet, but for Saturday we should have a good basis to perform well once we are in race trim."

David Coulthard: MP4-17D 08
Kimi Raikkonen: MP4-17D 09
T-car (David): MP4-17D 07
Spare: MP4-17D 06

-mclaren-