Raikkonen still a contender, say rivals

The Finn, eight points behind McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton after four races, qualified 16th after a brush with the barriers.

"It's a real shame because I think I could have fought for pole position," said Raikkonen, who retired from the previous Spanish Grand Prix with an electrical problem. "I am expecting a very tough race but I will do all I can to get a good result for the team."

With Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa starting third, and Hamilton and double world champion Fernando Alonso on pole in an all-McLaren front row, Raikkonen looks certain to fall further behind in the championship.

Alonso, champion for the past two years with Renault before joining McLaren, said there was a long way to go and Raikkonen could easily come back.

"There are 17 races and we saw unfortunately in the last two years that after having a big gap in the middle of the season it disappeared at the end.

"If you do a good last part of the championship you can win, as Michael (Schumacher) did last year. He was 25 points behind me after Canada (the ninth race) and equal on points by Japan (the penultimate round)," added the Spaniard.

"Even if you lose some points now at this point of the championship, it's not over and you can do a good recovery in the last part."

Hamilton agreed but said the Finn had his work cut out: "I think it's difficult for him at the moment, obviously Felipe is doing a better job...but it's a long season and he has time to catch up."