Raikkonen Rues Qualifying 'Nightmare'

Finn Kimi Raikkonen endured a very troubled day and will have to start tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix from 15th place on the grid, equalling his worst qualifying position since he entered Formula One at the start of the 2001 season.

The Fin will be forced to start tomorrow's race with the spare car after having to switch from his racing machine due to an accident in practice. Raikkonen escaped unhurt from his smash, clambering from the smouldering car after it hit the barriers and destroyed the front left side.

In qualifying the McLaren driver made a mistake in the third sector of his lap, damaging his left rear tyre and thus losing a lot of valuable time.

"Today's practice and qualifying was a real nightmare," admitted Raikkonen. "I went off at Turn five in the first practice session and hit the wall sideways damaging the car. As a result I was unable to participate in second practice and had to use the spare-car for the warm-up and qualifying, and as a result of the new regulations I will be using the spare car for tomorrow's race.

"Unfortunately I had another moment in the third sector of my qualifying lap and went on the dirt which consequently damaged my left rear tyre and I was unable to make it back to the garage."

Scot David Coulthard completed a poor day for the Woking-based outfit after posting the 11th fastest time ahead of Sunday's race.

"Not the best start to the season," Coulthard said. "During the second practice session I suffered a puncture to the right rear tyre at turn one. I tried to make my way back to the pits but on the way the fuel pump failed just by the entry to the pitlane and we decided to commence our race preparation.

"The team did a great job in making the necessary repairs in time for warm-up and qualifying. On my flying lap I ran a bit wide in the first corner and with only one run there is no room for the slightest error."