Formula One news

McLaren celebrates almost perfect qualifying

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday's German Grand Prix, the team's second consecutive home Grand Prix, from pole position after Silverstone two weeks ago. It is also the team's second pole position in a row and the fourth this year. Silverstone pole-sitter Heikki Kovalainen qualified third fastest with a 1m16.143 and will start from the second row, right behind his team mate.

"What a lap!" exclaimed Hamilton. "My first run during Q3 wasn't bad, but my final lap was very smooth and I expected to set an even better time. The wind made today's conditions quite tricky and sometimes it was difficult to stay on the racing line, particularly in the stadium section - where the wind seemed to change a couple of times. The team did a really good job to adjust to these conditions and to prepare the car perfectly. We've been fast and consistent all weekend, we have good pace, and I'm confident for tomorrow."

Heikki Kovalainen commented, "In the final session my car felt the best it has all weekend. But on my first run I lost the rear-end entering the stadium section and ran wide. And on my final run I did a little bit of rallycrossing at the last corner. Taking that into account, it was a good lap."

Team boss Ron Dennis added, "Today we saw another excellent team performance by all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Clearly, we're delighted for Lewis, who drove a great lap to take pole position in what I'm sure most people will agree was a gripping end to today's qualifying session. But we're equally pleased with Heikki, who recovered very impressively after his 'off' earlier in the session. He pushed hard, kept his head and carved a fast but disciplined lap that placed him third on tomorrow's grid. As regards tomorrow, we believe we have a competitive strategy and are therefore looking forward to putting in a strong performance in what is the second successive home Grand Prix for our team."

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