2008 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Albert Park, Melbourne, Saturday 15th March 2008
Lewis Hamilton MP4-23 04
Heikki Kovalainen MP4-23 03
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton achieved
the first pole position of the 2008 Formula 1 Word Championship.
In the third part of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
in Melbourne, Lewis set a time of 1m26.714 and took his seventh
career pole one year after his first ever Formula 1 race.
His team mate Heikki Kovalainen qualified third fastest with
a time of 1m27.079 which is the Finn’s highest ever
Formula 1 qualifying position.
Qualifying Session One: Qualifying Session Two: Qualifying
Session Three:
Lewis: 3 laps, 1:26.572 (10th) 3 laps, 1:25.487(1st) 6 laps,
1:26.714 (1st)
Heikki: 3 laps, 1:25.664 (1st ) 3 laps, 1:25.452 (3rd) 6 laps
1:27.079 (3rd)
LEWIS HAMILTON
"I couldn’t have wished for a better start to the
season, and it’s great to see Heikki and my friend Robert
doing well, and the team has done a super job in getting all
the necessary parts ready in time. During Q1 I was held up
in traffic, but everything just came together when it mattered
in Q3. The track conditions were a bit easier today compared
to yesterday as it wasn’t as hot. I think the start
will be interesting tomorrow due to the change in regulations.
Last year it was relatively easy where as now it’s dependent
on the driver, so I want to get that right. Fortunately I
am starting from the clean side of the track for once, and
hopefully that will help a bit, but it will be a long and
tough race."
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
"I am pleased to qualify third, but there is still room
for improvement. It was a fairly smooth lap, and the balance
of the car felt good. At the end I didn’t nail a perfect
lap, but throughout the weekend I have just been taking things
steady, not making any mistakes and keep pushing harder and
harder. Last year I didn’t make the best start to the
season, so today’s result is a great beginning to my
career as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver. The guys in
the team are working so hard, staying at the track until the
early hours this morning fixing a small problem with the gearbox
- that is dedication for you. I think we are looking strong
for the race, and I am looking forward to tomorrow."
RON DENNIS
"A great outcome of the first qualifying of the season
which reflects the hard work put in by the entire team during
the winter. Both Lewis and Heikki have done an excellent job
so far this weekend. Hopefully today’s result represents
our performance for the future and we will be focussing on
maintaining this throughout the rest of the season."
NORBERT HAUG
"A perfect start to the season. Lewis’ pole position
and Heikki’s third place are good preconditions as both
their cars will be starting on the line with the better grip.
Both drivers did a great job and the team worked perfectly.
Our strategy is good, and our speed looked OK so far. Congratulations
to BMW who with second place make it an all German power front
row. We are looking forward to a challenging race tomorrow."
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