SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX SATURDAY
Imola, Italy, Saturday 22nd April 2006
Kimi Raikkonen MP4-21 02
Juan Pablo Montoya MP4-21 05
T-car (Juan Pablo) MP4-21 01
Team McLaren Mercedes driver Juan Pablo Montoya will start
tomorrow's San Marino Grand Prix from seventh position on
the grid after setting a fastest time of 1:24.021 in qualifying.
Team mate Kimi Raikkonen lines up eighth with a time of 1:24.158.
Juan Pablo's car suffered from a fuel pressure problem during
this morning's practice and as a result the Colombian was
unable to complete any timed laps. Consequently for qualifying
Juan Pablo moved into the spare car which was set-up for him
this weekend. The team worked hard in the limited time available
to move Juan Pablo's engine into the spare car to avoid the
10 place penalty.
Qualifying Session One: Qualifying Session Two: Qualifying
Session Three:
Juan Pablo: 3 laps, 1:24.960 (13th) 6 laps, 1:23.760 (10th)
15 laps, 1:24.021 (7th)
Kimi: 3 laps, 1:24.259 (2nd) 3 laps, 1:23.190 (2nd) 15 laps,
1:24.158 (8th)
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
"Today's qualifying result was OK for me particularly
considering the limited amount of running I have done so far
this weekend. My car developed a fuel pressure problem in
practice this morning, and as a result we decided to change
to the spare car which was not an issue. However to try and
cure the understeer I experienced yesterday, we had made some
quite dramatic set-up changes for this morning's practice,
but as we never got an opportunity to evaluate them, we went
a bit more conservative with the car for qualifying. I think
this will pay off in the race because the car is very consistent.
There are a number of strategy options, but I think we have
chosen the right one and podium positions should definitely
be possible."
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"I'm a bit disappointed as I could have done better today,
and I didn't get the opportunity to show the full potential
of our package. Everything went well in the first two qualifying
sessions, but things didn't go according to plan in the last
part of qualifying where I did my two flying laps. On the
first run I used the best of my Michelin tyres, but I drove
a better lap on my second run but still lost time in the last
part of the lap. However I think if things goes our way in
the race we should be OK."
RON DENNIS
"Today's qualifying positions are acceptable bearing
in mind our strategy and Juan Pablo's problem in practice
this morning. We will only see where we are in comparison
to our competition after their first set of pit stops I'm
confident that we will have a strong race tomorrow if we avoid
any first-lap incidents."
NORBERT HAUG
"Kimi lost quite a bit of time in the last sector of
his first lap which cost him some grid positions - but no
complaints. He was impressive in the other qualifying sessions
- being the fastest Michelin runner. Juan Pablo did a good
job with his handicap not having had any laps in the third
practice session. Our strategy is strong, and despite starting
from the fourth row we can do a good job tomorrow."
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