Raikkonen Stays Cool Despite Slow Start

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen stayed cool despite a slow start to the decisive United States Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the 2003 season.

Renault's Jarno Trulli forced Formula One's three title contenders to take a back seat by seizing the top slot in first qualifying. The Italian clocked the fastest Formula One qualifying lap yet at the Brickyard to remind Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and Raikkonen that Sunday's race would not be a private battle.

Montoya, three points behind Schumacher with one race remaining after Indianapolis, kept the pressure piled on his rivals with the fifth fastest time in his Williams on a slippery track. Ferrari's Schumacher was eighth and McLaren's Raikkonen, seven points off the lead, ninth with final qualifying to come on Saturday.

"I'm not too worried about today's result as the car felt good despite us only having limited running in the morning due to the rain," said Raikkonen. "In addition I didn't do a very good lap and had a moment early on, so I'm sure we will do better tomorrow."

Briton David Coulthard, Raikkonen's partner, made the most of the changing conditions to put some more distance between Montoya and Michael Schumacher with the sixth best time, ahead of Renault's Fernando Alonso in seventh place.

"With a day of limited running, it's a struggle to get a feel for the track," said Coulthard. "Under the circumstances, I think it's reasonable. The car had little oversteer in it, so I actually started my last laps through the corners a bit sideways. There's a little room for improvement.

"I think Jarno (Trulli's) time might be difficult for us to get to with the car setup, which is a surprise given the length of the main straight here. Jarno did a very good lap there, so I think he has benefited from the practice in the morning."