Raikkonen Confident Pole Will be Turning Point

Kimi Raikkonen believes McLaren will be challenging for race wins before the end of the season after he drove the team's heavily modified MP4-19B machine to pole position for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Finn Raikkonen has seen McLaren struggle for pace and reliability for most of the season after he finished as runner-up to World Champion Michael Schumacher in 2003. But the introduction of the MP4-19B machine at the French Grand Prix has revitalised McLaren and Raikkonen believes improved results will follow.

"Since we ran the car the first time here in testing it was better straight away," said Raikkonen. "I think in the last race we had the potential and hopefully we will start to get results now. I was confident in the other car but it just wasn't quick enough and you cannot make it quicker just by driving.

"You can to some extent, but not all the way. This car overall is much stronger and much better. It has a better rear end and also the aerodynamics are different, the engine is stronger so basically the whole package is much better. It is good to drive and hopefully we can score a good result."

Raikkonen failed to finish the first three races of the season and, before last weekend's French Grand Prix, he had collected just eight points. His teammate, David Coulthard, also struggled before McLaren's modified challenger was introduced in France, but the Scot will start from sixth at Silverstone.

Raikkonen believes that the disappointment of McLaren's failure to close the gap on Ferrari this season will be forgotten if the team can continue to improve.

"I am very happy for me and for the team because we had a very difficult start to the season," said Raikkonen. "It's good to finally get some results. This is just the first few races now with the new car and I'm sure we can improve and make it even quicker, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

"The car is much stronger in the race than the old one. After the start of the season being so difficult and not really finishing the races and scoring points it is very good for me and the team and we are very happy."