Raikkonen Blames Dirty Track for Slow Start

Finn Kimi Raikkonen blamed the track conditions for his poor showing in the opening qualifying session of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Championship contender Raikkonen was the third man to complete his flying lap in today's session, which took place on a very dusty Hungaroring circuit. The McLaren driver could only set the 12th fastest time, three places behind Championship leader Michael Schumacher.

"We went through a lot of work during practice this morning, but we still have some way to go with the set up of the car, which we will look at before tomorrow's qualifying session," said Raikkonen at the end of the day.

"There is no doubt that the track was very dirty particularly after the support race just before the start of the session, which affected the people who were out early today.

"As a result I will start mid way through tomorrow's session, which is not ideal, but at least it will be the same for most of the other main Championship contenders, so we will see what happens."

Scot David Coulthard, who will continue to drive for McLaren in 2004 after it was announced today he had extended his contract, had a better day than his teammate, posting the fourth fastest time.

"A tidy lap and I'm sure we can work to find more speed to further improve the package overnight," said Coulthard. "I was a bit tentative going into turn one on my qualifying lap as the circuit had a bit more grip than previously, but apart from that an OK lap.

"The new track lay out might provide a few overtaking opportunities as it slows down the cars at two significant corners, but the circuit surface is so dirty that it would be risky to go off the line to try and overtake. All in all a good start to the weekend."