Formula One news

Raikkonen steals last gasp pole from Alonso

Kimi Raikkonen stole a last gasp pole position from a flying Fernando Alonso in the final moments of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. The result, nevertheless gave thousands of Alonso's home fans something to celebrate for the first time this season. Felipe Massa ended up third.

The circuit was very slippery at the start of qualifying with those going out early struggling for grip, particularly in the final sector. At the end of it though Kimi Raikkonen led Trulli and Alonso while Coulthard, Vettel, Fisichella, Sutil, Davidson and Sato all dropped out.

The second qualifying was a very close run event with less than 0.7s separating the six cars that were knocked out: Barrichello, Nakajima, Button, Glock, Rosberg and Bourdais. 

Alonso celebrates front row

Felipe Massa set the early pace in final qualifying but it all came down to the closing moments as Alonso bumped the Brazilian down a place and then Raikkonen pulled one out of the bag when it really counted to steal pole by less than 0.1s.

Robert Kubica held on for a strong fourth for BMW, 0.2s off Raikkonen's pace while Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen got pushed down to fifth and sixth. Mark Webber confirmed Red Bull's pace in seventh ahead of Trulli, Heidfeld and Piquet.

more news

• 06 Jul.
  • Dennis: Kovalainen's pole well deserved
  • Button prays for rain
  • Horner enjoys team's first front row
• 05 Jul.
  • Coulthard disappointed with eleventh
  • Fisichella missed out on Q2
  • Difficult qualifying session for Williams
  • Webber surprised to be in front row
  • Toyota missed out on top ten
  • Maiden pole position for Kovalainen
  • Live: British Grand Prix 1st free practice
  • Frank Williams glad British Grand Prix is saved
  • Alonso fastest at drying track
  • Photos: Saturday at Silverstone
• 04 Jul.
  • Alonso's engine problem didn't surprise the team
  • Photos: Friday at Silverstone
  • McLaren drivers happy with first day at Silverstone
  • Mixed day for Williams drivers
  • Clutch problems for Glock, new rear wing for Trulli
  • Steady start for Red Bull drivers
  • Donington pleased with F1 contract
  • Kovalainen fastest in the afternoon
  • British Grand Prix moves to Donington
  • Fastest time and heavy crash for Massa
  • British drivers will miss Coulthard
  • Batmobile challenges Glock at Silverstone
• 03 Jul.
  • Webber extends Red Bull contract
  • Horner will miss good friend and gentleman Coulthard
  • Coulthard to retire at end of season
  • New at GPUpdate.net: Live reports
  • Photos: Thursday at Silverstone
  • Massa targets British podium
  • Raikkonen to use new engine
  • Ecclestone leaves door open for British Grand Prix
• 02 Jul.
  • Singapore Grand Prix to build 1,600 extra seats
  • Webber: We cannot afford to lose Silverstone too
  • Sutil expects step forward
• 01 Jul.
  • Fisichella doing fine after heavy crash
  • Toro Rosso happy with its current drivers
  • Toyota joins forces with Batman
  • Coulthard optimistic for second half of the year

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