Raikkonen Aims for Podium Despite Qualifying Struggle

The McLaren team failed to match the pace of their rivals in Saturday's qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

"Whilst the cars are handling reasonably well, we are clearly struggling to match the pace of our principal competition," said team boss Ron Dennis. "If we have higher ambient temperatures tomorrow, which we can hopefully compliment with a good race strategy, a satisfying result should still be possible."

Finn Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest of the two McLaren drivers, finishing the session in fifth place, more than a second behind pole setter Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari.

Both Raikkonen and teammate David Coulthard were unable to get close to the Ferrari or the Williams drivers despite the Scot showing a promising pace in final practice this morning.

"We did our best today and I feel I got the utmost out of the car," said Raikkonen, who finished right ahead of Coulthard. "We seem to lose most of our time in the middle sector but we don't really know why yet.

"I had a small spin at Rivazza when I ran wide during my third run and had to go back into the pits. I don't know what to expect from the race, but we will aim for a podium."