MOBIL 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX RACE
Hockenheim, Germany,
Kimi Raikkonen, MP4-21 05
Pedro de la Rosa, MP4-21 07
T-car (Kimi), MP4-21 04
Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen finished third
in today's 67-lap Mobil 1 German Grand Prix. Pedro de la Rosa
retired on the third lap with a mechanical fuel pump failure.
Kimi was on a three-stop strategy which saw him pit on laps
10 (15.2 seconds), 28 (7.2 seconds) and 55 (6.6 seconds).
Kimi is fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 49 points
and Pedro is 16th with two. Juan Pablo Montoya remains sixth
with 26 points, and Team McLaren Mercedes is third in the
Constructors' standings with 77 points. The Team moves directly
on to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring
next weekend.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"To be on the podium is really the best result that we
could have achieved today as we have had several problems.
During the race I was delayed in my first pit-stop due to
a crossed wheel nut; I suffered from blistering on my second
set of tyres, and there was a small issue with the hydraulics,
which meant that Jenson Button was able to get ahead after
my first stop. However none of these really mattered as we
were able to make up all the time in the last part of the
race where we were very strong. The result today shows that
the car has definitely improved, and hopefully next race we
can do even better."
PEDRO DE LA ROSA
"It is a real shame that my race ended so quickly, especially
after I had such a good start and had moved up two places.
The car felt really quick and was easy to drive. I was catching
the Renault's when all of a sudden I lost power and had to
pull up, as a result of a failed fuel pump. Although I am
disappointed these things happen, and I am now just looking
forward to the race next weekend in Hungary where hopefully
we can better demonstrate the improved competitiveness of
the car."
RON DENNIS
"An outstanding race by Kimi, and I am exceedingly pleased
for the team because of the necessity to vary our strategy
and the role this played in getting onto the podium. Our apologies
to Pedro whose retirement was the result of a mechanical fuel
pump failure, the cause of which will be analysed over the
next few days. It is hard to be satisfied with this result,
but it was the best we could do in the circumstances, and
we now look forward to the next race where we hope our improved
performance should continue."
NORBERT HAUG
"A good race result at the Mercedes-Benz home Grand Prix
as the best Michelin car and a super job by Kimi. Taking into
consideration that we had problems with a crossed wheel nut
on the right rear tyre on his car during the first pit stop
and a small hydraulic problem during the race we could not
do any better against the combination of Bridgestone and Ferrari.
The failure on Pedro's car was a shame. I am sure that he
definitely was able to get into the top five."
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