Formula One news

McLaren back in front row

Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen will start tomorrow's Brazilian Grand Prix from the front row of the grid having qualified second with a lap time of 1:11.299. Pedro de la Rosa will start from 12th place on the grid with his fastest lap in the second session of 1:11.658.

Raikkonen said: "This is a great result for all of us today. We did not turn the engine up till the final session so we were not sure where we would be, but I really gave it 100% on the final lap. For sure we will be fighting for the win now, it is going to be difficult, but our pace is strong in the long runs. It would be great to finish my last race for Team McLaren Mercedes on a high and we will be doing everything we can to achieve this."

De la Rosa commented on today's qualifying: "I locked up as I was coming into turn one on my last lap and as a result I lost a lot of time. Unfortunately this meant that I have not made it into the top ten at a track where qualifying is quite important. However the car has felt good all weekend and I think that our pace tomorrow will be good. It is going to be a tough race starting from 12th but we are confident that we can improve and score some points tomorrow."

McLaren's team boss Ron Dennis said: "A tremendous job by Kimi. Pedro tried a little too hard on his second set of tyres flatspotting one into the first corner. As a consequence he failed to qualify in the top ten. Generally our car worked well and a good result is possible tomorrow."

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