Monaco GP: McLaren Saturday qualifying notes

West McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard will start tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix from fifth and eighth positions respectively. Kimi set a time of 1:14.592 whilst David completed his lap in 1:14.951.

Kimi Raikkonen:

"For sure this has been our best Grand Prix weekend so far this year, and it's nice to be closer to the front again. A perfect lap might have gained us one more place on the grid, but the car and my Michelin tyres were working well. I think we have a good strategy for the race, but what will happen depends on what the other teams are doing strategy wise. I'm close to Michael on the starting grid and so far this year I have made some good getaways to gain quite a few places. In addition I'm on the right side of the track which I hope will prove an advantage."

David Coulthard:

"My approach to my qualifying lap was much too conservative, and at the last part of the swimming pool section things were not perfect, which lost me some momentum and consequently time. As I love this circuit I'm a little disappointed not to have qualified higher up as it's so difficult to make up positions in the race."

Ron Dennis:

"Clearly the team has made progress over earlier races with the characteristics of the Monaco circuit and the quality of our driver line up contributing to our grid positions which will allow us to fight at the front of the field."

Norbert Haug:

"A step in the right direction, and I hope that with our strategy we are in a position to make another one in the race. Our performance here so far has been better than in the races before, and Kimi and David should have a good basis for tomorrow."

David Coulthard: MP4-19 03
Kimi Raikkonen: MP4-19 04
T-car (Kimi): MP4-19 01

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