08 May: Spanish Grand Prix - Race Report - McLaren Mercedes
West McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen took a dominant victory in today's 66-lap Spanish Grand Prix from pole position. The
Finn claimed his third Formula One victory never losing the lead and at the end he crossed the finishing line 27.652 seconds ahead
of current Championship leader Fernando Alonso. Team mate Juan Pablo Montoya finished seventh after a two race absence due to an
injured shoulder. The Colombian was forced to make an additional pitstop when the fuel rig malfunctioned during his first scheduled
stop on lap 30 (4.246 seconds) and he came in the following lap (10.019 seconds) and on lap 56 (4.711 seconds). Kimi came in for
fuel on laps 24 (8.250 seconds) and 49 (6.786 seconds). Kimi has moved up to third in the Drivers' World Championship with 17 points
whilst Juan Pablo is eighth with 10 points. West McLaren Mercedes is third in the Constructors standings with 37 points, now only
three points away from second.
Kimi Raikkonen "We have been close to victory a few times and today it finally
happened. The car has been working perfectly throughout the weekend and we knew we had a good chance to win. A lot of effort has
gone into this from the team and all our Partners and I would like to thank everybody. If we can continue to show performance like
the one today we still have a good chance of fighting for the World Championships. We have a competitive package and until Imola we
were extremely reliable so anything can happen. I made a clean start from pole and was pushing really hard until the first pitstop
when I saw how big the gap actually was. There was a small scare as I pulled away from my first stop because the engine did not pick
up but it soon rectified itself and then I just took it easy during my second stop. All in all a great weekend!"
Juan
Pablo Montoya "The car was working well throughout but we had not achieved the optimum set-up so I was struggling a bit
with understeer to start with. I spun 360 degrees in turn eight on lap seven and lost some time. Obviously the problem in my first
stop cost me some time but all in all I'm OK with the result today considering everything that has happened. My shoulder was good
but it was tough particularly at turns three and nine and the last two corners where you pull a lot of Gs. At least I'm not going to
be starting the first qualifying session in Monaco first, which is a definite advantage."
Ron Dennis "A
tremendous race for the team and a truly dominant performance by Kimi. His only problem was to find the discipline to actually slow
down, once he had established a significant lead. Juan Pablo's race could have been so much better but an electrical problem which
activated the safety system on the fuel rig almost certainly cost him a podium finish. Throughout the race, the performance of the
Michelin tyres on both cars was great and certainly contributed a significant amount to the outcome."
Norbert Haug "I
would like to thank the entire team for a perfect job. Everybody has worked extremely hard to make this victory happen. I am really
pleased for Kimi. He performed impressively by leading the race throughout from start to finish. Juan Pablo had the chance for a
better result. However due to a problem with the fuel rig at his first pitstop he had to come in one more time. But again; great
result, a baseline on which we can build."
West McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen will start today's Spanish Grand Prix from pole
position after emerging fastest from today's second qualifying session. It's the Finn's second pole position of the season and his
fifth in Formula One. Kimi's aggregate time is 2:31.421. Juan Pablo improved on his provisional starting position from yesterday by
finishing seventh overall with an aggregate time of 2:33.472.
Kimi Raikkonen "I'm pleased to be on pole
position but there is still a race to go. Today's lap was pretty good and my aggregate time would have been even better if I hadn't
made the mistake in yesterday's qualifying. Our package is obviously working well and if everything comes together I think we are in
with a chance of winning the race."
Juan Pablo Montoya "It was a good lap and I have gained quite a few
places on the grid which is positive. I think it will be a great race as the car is working really well and we should be in a strong
position to get some points. So far my shoulder has been fine but the real challenge will come in the race."
Ron
Dennis "A perfect lap from Kimi saw him achieving pole position and I'm particularly pleased with the gap to Alonso and
the Toyotas. Juan Pablo also put in a strong performance and consequently gained quite a few positions. We are expecting a strong
race where we want to challenge for the victory."
Norbert Haug "A great job from both the drivers and the
entire team. Kimi was faultless and Juan Pablo gained effectively three places on the grid. We think we have chosen the best
possible strategy and after the second consecutive pole position from Kimi, the entire team is looking forward to achieve similar
positions in the race."
