Raikkonen Stays Calm Despite Slow Start

Finn Kimi Raikkonen was in confident mood despite finishing behind his Championship rivals in opening qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.

McLaren's Raikkonen, two points behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in the closest and most enthralling title battle in years, was fifth fastest, two positions behind the German and four behind Williams rival Juan Pablo Montoya.

Raikkonen's lap was more than a whole second slower than the Colombian's.

"I wanted to look after the car, but it wasn't as good a lap as it could've been and not as fast as this morning's, but we should be OK for tomorrow," said Raikkonen, whose time was matched exactly by Australian Mark Webber in a Jaguar.

"Fifth place is not too bad, everything seems to be working well and I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend."

David Coulthard was a disappointing 14th and the Scot said he had suffered a downshift seizure at the chicane which wrecked his lap.

"We had a productive morning session, but on my qualifying lap I made a mistake at the second chicane," said the Scot. "The rear axle locked as a result of the automatic downshift cutting in and I had to drop my speed, which lost me a lot of time.

"Overall I think we are in reasonable shape and if we have a trouble free session tomorrow we should qualify well."