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closePole for French GP goes to Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari
The Associated Press
Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008
Kimi Raikkonen, of Finland, steers his Ferrari during the qualifying session of the French Formula One Grand Prix, at the Magny Cours racetrack, central France, Saturday June 21, 2008. Raikkonen clocked the fastest time. (AP Photo/David Vincent)
MAGNY COURS, France - Kimi Raikkonen led Ferrari 1-2 in qualifying Saturday for the French Grand Prix.
Raikkonen finished 0.041 seconds ahead of teammate Felipe Massa to give Ferrari its 200th pole and third 1-2 start of the season. The defending world champion set a fastest lap of 1 minute, 16.449 seconds around the Circuit de Nevers.
"The main thing is to be fastest ... and that worked out very well for us," said Raikkonen, who also won here last year. "The car has been working very well all weekend."
Massa, who set the fastest time in the practice session, will start on the outside of the front row.
"I was a little bit overdriving (in the final session) trying to get the best out of the car and lost a bit of time in the corners," the Brazilian said. "We had a lot more fuel compared (to the first two sessions) and lost a bit of time. But front row is good."
Lewis Hamilton qualified third in 1:16.693 but will drop 10 places on the grid for causing an accident at the preceding Canadian GP.
Hamilton, one of several drivers to slide off the smooth 2.741-mile circuit during the final session, has lowered his expectations for Sunday.
"We'll just do the best we can, take it on the chin and try to take the best out if it," the 23-year-old McLaren driver said.
McLaren's problems were compounded when race stewards penalized teammate Heikki Kovalainen five places for driving too slowly to hinder the qualifying lap of Red Bull's Mark Webber.
It is the second time that Kovalainen, who had qualified sixth, had been penalized for such an offense this season.
"I was just trying to stay out of people's way," the Finnish driver said.
Fernando Alonso of Renault will move up after finishing fourth ahead of Jarno Trulli of Toyota, while Kovalainen's infraction means overall Formula One leader Robert Kubica moves up to fifth.
Overall Formula One leader Robert Kubica looked uncomfortable in his BMW Sauber and will start from sixth. Teammate Nick Heidfeld, who finished second to Kubica in Canada, matched a season worst qualifying result of 12th.
Kubica holds a four-point advantage over Massa and Hamilton and seven over Raikkonen in Formula One's standings.
The 28-year-old Raikkonen has never failed to finish in seven races at Magny Cours, and his pole position puts Ferrari in good shape to win its eighth French GP in 12 years.
"Hopefully, I don't make things any different tomorrow," Raikkonen said. "It's the best possible chance to win the race from first place. The car has been good all weekend."
With drivers taking on more fuel for the final session, control along the smooth track became more difficult with a hot summer sun warming the track.
Alonso, with the third fastest overall time in practice, gave the French fans hope of a first podium for Renault.
"For the first time this season we have the real chance to fight for the podium," the Spaniard said.
The two-time world champion's frustration at Renault's lack of competitiveness bubbled up this week when he said he would decide whether to stick with the French team at the end of the season.
Sebastien Bourdais was a long way off from becoming the first Frenchman to win his home GP since Alain Prost 15 years ago. The Toro Rosso driver will start 14th, behind teammate Sebastian Vettel.
Nico Rosberg finished 15th but will start last on the grid after also picking up a 10-place penalty for his involvement in the pit lane accident at Montreal.