Schumacher lags behind Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen scorched to pole position for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis as Michael Schumacher’s chances of celebrating a record sixth drivers’ crown tomorrow suffered a massive blow.
The German could qualify in only seventh spot and will line up for the penultimate race of the campaign behind title rivals Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya, who was fourth fastest for Williams-BMW.
Finn Raikkonen, who trails Schumacher by seven points, took a vital top spot in his McLaren for the crunch 73-lap battle – ending Schumacher’s perfect qualifying record on the Motor Speedway.
Schumacher’s Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello was second, while Olivier Panis scored Toyota racing’s best ever qualifying performance with third spot.
David Coulthard was eighth in the other McLaren, and Jenson Button posted the 11th-best time for BAR-Honda – again out-qualifying former world champion Jacques Villeneuve who is fighting for his future with the team.
Britain’s Justin Wilson will struggle to pick up the points he desperately needs to boost his F1 survival hopes after qualifying 16th – although he was less than half-a-second slower than team-mate Mark Webber, who was 12th.
Fellow rookie Ralph Firman will line up 18th on the grid for his comeback grand prix after missing the last two races following his massive shunt in Hungary. The Norwich-based racer finished a few 10ths slower than fellow Jordan-Ford driver Giancarlo Fisichella.
United States Grand Prix, Indianapolis
Times after second qualifying:
1 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren Mercedes 1min 11.670secs,
2 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Ferrari 1:11.794,
3 Olivier Panis (Fra) Toyota 1:11.920,
4 Juan Montoya (Col) Williams BMW 1:11.948,
5 Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Williams BMW 1:12.078,
6 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:12.087,
7 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:12.194,
8 David Coulthard (Gbr) McLaren Mercedes 1:12.297,
9 Cristiano Da Matta (Bra) Toyota 1:12.326,
10 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Renault 1:12.566,
11 Jenson Button (Gbr) BAR Honda 1:12.695,
12 Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BAR Honda 1:13.050,
13 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Sauber Petronas 1:13.083,
14 Mark Webber (Aus) Jaguar 1:13.269,
15 Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Ger) Sauber Petronas 1:13.447,
16 Justin Wilson (Gbr) Jaguar 1:13.585,
17 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Jordan Cosworth 1:13.798,
18 Ralph Firman (Gbr) Jordan Cosworth 1:14.027,
19 Jos Verstappen (Ned) Minardi Cosworth 1:15.360,
20 Nicolas Kiesa (Den) Minardi Cosworth 1:15.644
