Hungarian GP: McLaren race notes

West McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard finished today's 77 laps Hungarian Grand Prix in fourth and fifth respectively. Both drivers were on a two stop strategy and Kimi stopped on laps 35 (9.5 seconds) and 61 (7.8 seconds). David had his pit stops on laps 34 (8 seconds) and 58 (8.2 seconds). David is fifth in the Drivers' World Championship with 34 points and Kimi is sixth with 20 points. The West McLaren Mercedes team is third in the Constructors' Championship with 54 points

KIMI RAIKKONEN

"Considering our starting positions and the lack of overtaking opportunities presented by the circuit lay out, I'm pleased that we managed to get some points today. I made a good start and gained a couple of positions on the first lap. Montoya and myself then had a clean battle for seventh. On lap 22 we were side-by-side coming into turn two and I managed to get the inside for turn three where he ran wide. I was then behind Button who went off and got past Trulli and Massa in the pitstops. If we had qualified higher up the grid, we could have finished on the podium today as we were quick and had the right strategy, but once I had a clear track ahead of me and could start pushing it was too late."

DAVID COULTHARD

"I made a good start but was squeezed to the outside of turn one and lost a couple of the places I had gained. I overtook Heidfeld at the beginning of lap two to take 10th and eventually managed to get fifth position as we were on a good strategy. The balance of the car was inconsistent and the rear end was rather nervous which was why I had a short off track excursion on lap 45. However our car was much better in race trim so it's a shame that we couldn't start higher up the grid."

RON DENNIS

"Our improved race performance was a result of the higher ambient temperature which allowed us to maximise the performance of our Michelin tyres. Excellent drives by Kimi and David on a circuit which rarely sees overtaking and a good strategy resulted in well-deserved fourth and fifth places. That said, we compete to win and will continue to work hard on improving our performance package for the Belgian Grand Prix."

NORBERT HAUG

"Kimi and David both performed overtaking manoeuvres despite this being considered nearly impossible at this track. With better grid positions more could have been achieved today. The strategy and performance of the team were great."

David Coulthard: Chassis 08
Kimi Raikkonen: Chassis 06
T-car (David): Chassis 07

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