Formula One news

Raikkonen on top of time sheets again

Kimi Raikkonen continued his strong form in China on Saturday morning. The Ferrari driver was, just like in Friday's free practice sessions, once again the fastest driver on track. He was right ahead of McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. Massa ended fourth.

The Chinese Grand Prix weekend continued on Saturday morning with temperatures going up to 31 degrees Celsius already. In the first twenty minutes of today's one-hour free practice Toyota drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli topped the time sheets.

Not much later though the McLaren drivers began to work on their qualifying set-up and we saw Fernando Alonso go to P1. His team-mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton had to do with third. Not much later though Raikkonen pushed down Alonso as the Finn completed the fastest lap.

In the final five minutes of the session many drivers tried to find a few tenths of a second to improve their cars for today's qualifying session. Ralf Schumacher managed to stay in a fifth position, while his team-mate Jarno Trulli went down to 14th. Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Vitantonio Liuzzi did well as he finished in 12th.

Qualifying starts at 14.00 (07.00 GMT) with a 90% chance of rain.

more news

• 14 Oct.
  • Blair in F1 spotlight again over Ecclestone donation
  • Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could become night race
  • Haug: Di Resta won't race in F1 next year
  • BMW to support Kubica in his championship battle
  • Bridgestone to bring its hardest compounds to China
  • Glock ready to bounce back
  • Trulli hopes Chinese luck will change
• 13 Oct.
  • Alonso willing to help Massa
  • Brawn: China won't be any different
  • Hamilton blames Massa for crash
  • Kubica not giving up on championship
  • Alonso confident for last two races
• 12 Oct.
  • A point and a crash for Red Bull
  • Ferrari salvages eight crucial points
  • Kubica takes BMW's eleventh podium of season
  • McLaren reels from major blow
  • Second win crowns major Renault pay day
  • Bourdais penalty hands Massa extra point
  • No joy for Williams in Japan
  • Four home points for Toyota
  • Pointless day for Honda
  • Mixed feelings for Force India
  • Hamilton admits mistake, vows to stay aggressive
  • Delighted Alonso celebrates victory
  • Untouchable Alonso storms to second victory
  • Photos: Sunday at Fuji
• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole

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