McLaren Expecting Tough Race

McLaren-Mercedes managing director Martin Whitmarsh says his team will face a struggle to keep pace with Constructors' Championship rivals Williams-BMW in Sunday's race at Hockenheim.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher completed a one-two for Williams in Saturday qualifying while McLaren drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard could only manage fifth and 10th on the grid respectively.

"It will be tough as Williams are very strong," said Whitmarsh. "Who knows what strategy they are on, but they look strong and the Michelin tyres look good here. Kimi put in a tidy lap, but David had to switch to the T-car and didn't feel that comfortable and I think that was reflected in his time. It will be a tough task."

Despite his reservations about challenging Williams for victory, Whitmarsh remains confident that Finn Raikkonen can close on Drivers' Championship leader Michael Schumacher.

Raikkonen will start one place ahead of Schumacher on Sunday's grid and Whitmarsh believes that McLaren's Michelin tyres can give his team the edge over the German's Bridgestone-shod Ferrari.

"Ferrari are struggling a little bit despite a fantastic lap by Rubens," added Whitmarsh of Ferrari's Brazilian, who qualified third on the grid. "The Michelin looks overall like a stronger tyre, and we've chosen a tyre we think will help us most in the race.

"Michael looks as though he has been struggling all weekend - although he is a great driver and I am sure he will come through."