11 September: Belgian Grand Prix - Race Report - McLaren Mercedes
Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen took victory in today's Belgian Grand Prix crossing the finishing line 28.3 seconds
ahead of Alonso. It looked like the team was heading for a one-two finish until three laps from the end when Antonio Pizzonia hit
Juan Pablo and took him off the circuit. Both Kimi and Juan Pablo were on two-stop strategies and came in at the end of lap 11 when
the Safety Car was deployed, Juan Pablo (10.0 seconds) and Kimi (9.3 seconds). Juan Pablo came in again on lap 33 (7.2 seconds) and
Kimi followed on lap 35 (6.2 seconds). Kimi remains second in the Drivers World Championship with 86 points and Juan Pablo fourth
with 50 points. The team remains second in the Constructors' Championship with 146 points, six points behind Renault.
KIMI
RAIKKONEN "We did what we could today, and I'm thrilled to win here at Spa for the second time in a row. However Juan
Pablo's retirement was a real shame and I feel sorry for him and the team as we could have left Spa with so much more as we really
deserved a one-two. Everything went well during the race with no real dramas and the car was great. When the safety car came out we
took the opportunity to come into the pits and as Ralf was quite a bit lighter at this stage he was able to be in front of me.
However I didn't push to look after the Michelin tyres. Consequently when it dried out I was able to really push and caught up with
a series' of fast laps. I claimed the lead after the second pitstop as I could stay out longer than Juan Pablo and that was it.
However there are mixed emotions as we should have had a one-two today."
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA "It's always
tough to retire from a race but when it's caused by matters out of your or the team's control it's even harder. As I said in the
pole position press conference yesterday I drive for my team. So my disappointment is even greater because as a team we were doing a
great job. I now know that Pizzonia was trying to unlap himself on dry tyres and then hit me from behind whilst trying to do so.
This was a disappointing end to what could have been the perfect weekend."
RON DENNIS "Both drivers put in
a faultless performance today which should have given the team maximum points. Kimi claimed his win in a disciplined and controlled
manner in very difficult conditions. Juan Pablo was the innocent victim of other people's mistakes but this should not distract from
his race which was executed with true team spirit. We of course take some satisfaction from winning eight of the last 11 Grands
Prix. As you can imagine we are looking forward to Brazil in a positive frame of mind."
NORBERT HAUG "Congratulations
to Kimi on a great win and a perfect performance in the race. This was the almost ideal weekend for the team in which we performed
very well in challenging conditions. We had the right strategy and were in control of the race. Unfortunately due to a competitor's
mistake we could not take the full benefit of the team's efforts. However Juan Pablo did a brilliant job and didn't put a foot wrong
throughout the weekend. I feel sorry for him as the accident was not his fault."
