Raikkonen: There's Room for Improvement

Finn Kimi Raikkonen says his McLaren team should be in reasonable shape in tomorrow's final qualifying for the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.

Raikkonen must win Sunday's race if he is to stand a chance of clinching this year's drivers' title. Ferrari rival Michael Schumacher is nine points ahead of him and he needs just an eighth place finish to take a record-breaking sixth crown.

Schumacher won the first battle of the weekend today, outpacing Raikkonen, who set the fifth quickest time of the day, two places behind his rival.

"My lap today was OK, but there is still room for improvement especially in the first sector where I lost about four tenths of a second compared to the best sector time," said Raikkonen. "The gap to the competition is less than it normally is in Friday qualifying, so we should be in reasonable shape for tomorrow and Sunday.

"I'm pleased with how the car feels especially in the second and third sectors, and I like the new chicane. At the end of the day we are here to do our best and that is what we will continue to do."

Raikkonen, who started from pole at Indianapolis two weeks ago, also finished behind McLaren teammate David Coulthard, who posted the fourth fastest time.

"I'm reasonably happy with that lap and believe there is still more to come as the car is performing well," said the Scot. "I was a bit cautious going into the hairpin and slowed the car too much, but what you lose on entry you sometimes gain on traction.

"The track layout means that it's important to get the right flow and a small mistake can upset your rhythm quite easily, but everything went well today."