Raikkonen Not Totally Happy with Car

Raikkonen clocked a lap of 1:14.320 to claim his third pole of the season after topping the times for race drivers all throughout the weekend.

"It is nice. I think in the last few races we should have been up here also, but due to the circumstances it was not possible," said Raikkonen, who has been forced to start from way down the grid in the last two races after changing his engine.

"All weekend the car has been working well, and it was not as good as this morning but good enough for pole position. On a few corners I had a little bit of oversteer so I was not so happy with the car."

Raikkonen is aiming to close the gap to Championship rival Fernando Alonso, but McLaren's chances of stopping the Spaniard from scoring important points took a hit when Raikkonen's Colombian teammate Juan Pablo Montoya spun off the track and into the tyre wall on the final corner.

Until then it looked like McLaren were set for a 1-2 on the grid.

Montoya will start from the back of the grid, but Raikkonen didn't sound too concerned and he is confident he can win tomorrow's race.

"We have a strong package and should be able to fight for the win," he said. "It is an important race as we have lost in the last few races a few points more so we need to gain some points this time and get back in Championship.

"There are many races to go and we will do the best job we can."