FRENCH GRAND PRIX RACE
Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen finished fifth
in today's 70-lap French Grand Prix. In only his first race
for over a year Pedro de la Rosa put in a steady performance
to come seventh. Both drivers were on three-stop strategies
with Kimi coming in on laps 17 (7.0 seconds), 32 (11.4 seconds)
and 53 (7.0 seconds) and Pedro stopping on laps 18 (6.5 seconds),
35 (6.7 seconds) and 50 (7.4 seconds). Kimi remains fourth
in the Drivers' Championship with 43 points and Pedro scored
two points for the team on his 2006 race debut. Juan Pablo
Montoya is sixth with 26 points. Team McLaren Mercedes is
third in the Constructors' standings with 71 points. The Team
returns to the test track in Jerez, Spain next week with Kimi,
Pedro and Gary Paffett all taking to the track.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"A disappointing race as the car was handling really
well. We were lacking the speed to win, but I lost a few tenths
in the second pit-stop which cost me fourth place today, so
we definitely could have done better today. The car is steadily
improving and we have further developments at the next test
so we now look forward to the next race at Hockenheim in two
weeks time, where hopefully we will score better in front
of Mercedes-Benz home crowd."
PEDRO DE LA ROSA
"The car had the speed today and felt really good to
drive. I feel I really could have scored more points if I
had not lost position to Mark Webber at the start of the race.
This meant that I lost a lot of time in the opening stint
trying to pass him and when I eventually got passed during
the pit stop I was behind a lot of traffic on different strategies.
As a result following the first round of stops I was over
20 seconds behind Ralf Schumacher, so it was very difficult
for me to improve on my position. I really enjoyed the race
and I am pleased to have scored some points for the team and
be one the fastest of the Michelin runners."
RON DENNIS
"We had a much more competitive pace today which indicates
the continued improvement of the car. Unfortunately Bridgestone
had an advantage and we will work hard with Michelin to reverse
the situation at Hockenheim. We varied our race strategy in
an attempt to improve the outcome of the race but to no avail.
Both Kimi and Pedro drove well and as always we look forward
to getting better results at the next grand prix."
NORBERT HAUG
"Our grid positions were decisive for the outcome of
our race, the pace was better than in qualifying. So it was
very difficult to improve on sixth and eighth despite the
fact that our lap times were among the fastest of the Michelin
runners. Kimi was the second placed Michelin car, but we want
to do better. Pedro put in a good performance as well, however
after the start he got stuck behind a slower car for the first
third of the race. Once he could run free he was immediately
one and a half seconds quicker than before. We are now looking
forward to our home grand prix at Hockenheim in a fortnight
and will work hard to further improve our performance."
|
