Monaco GP: McLaren race notes

West McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen finished second in today's Monaco Grand Prix. David Coulthard claimed seventh. The result sees Kimi extending his World Championship lead to four points and he now has a total of 48 points. David is sixth with 25 points.

The West McLaren Mercedes team reclaimed the top spot in the Constructors' rankings and now has 73 points. Kimi had his first pitstop at the end of lap 24 (8.9 seconds) and the second stop took place at the end of lap 52 (8.9 seconds). David had his stops on laps 26 (7.6 seconds) and 56. Kimi also set the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record with a time of 1:14.545 on lap 49.

Kimi Raikkonen:

"I'm a bit disappointed as traffic meant that I was unable to take advantage of the fact that I was able to stay out longer than Montoya before stopping. However that is Monaco for you and at least I have increased my Championship lead. I got a bad start, which allowed Montoya to get past me and after that it was really just a matter of putting as much pressure as possible on him to try and force him into making a mistake but unfortunately he didn't."

David Coulthard:

"Obviously I could not run the pace I would have liked as I got stuck behind Jarno Trulli for the main part of the race and unfortunately he was on the same fuel stop strategy as I was. Otherwise considering the speed of my car and our strategy I would have had the chance to gain a much better position."

Ron Dennis, Team principal:

"A good race for Formula One but the Monaco traffic was particularly frustrating and significantly affected Kimi's ability to win and David's opportunity to exploit the speed of his car, but that is Monte Carlo. On a positive note we are leaving Monaco having regained a narrow but important lead in the Constructors' Championship and maintained our advantage in the Drivers' rankings."

Norbert Haug, Mercedes motorsport director:

"A great and very fast race. It's nice for Kimi to remain in the lead of the Drivers' Championship and for our team to regain first position in the Constructors' rankings, at a time when we will be halfway through the Championship at the Canadian Grand Prix in two weeks. Congratulations to Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams and BMW on their victory."

David Coulthard: MP4-17D 06
Kimi Raikkonen: MP4-17D 09
T-car (David): MP4-17D 05
T-car (Kimi): MP4-17D 07
Spare: MP4-17D 08

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