Finland's Kimi Raikkonen snatched the maiden pole position of his Formula One career at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in Germany today. The 23-year-old saw off championship leader Michael Schumacher in his own backyard to take top spot at the 43rd attempt.
Raikkonen, who trails his Ferrari rival by three points, claimed pole for McLaren-Mercedes by just 0.032 seconds. Ralf Schumacher's run of two successive poles was ended as he finished third fastest with fellow Williams-BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya fourth. David Coulthard's hopes of the victory he desperately needs to keep his faltering title hopes alive suffered a massive blow as another disappointing single lap effort in his McLaren left him back in ninth spot.
Ralph Firman will be in 14th spot for Jordan - the best qualifying performance of his rookie season - but he was just outdone by his colleague Giancarlo Fisichella who will be alongside him in a more favourable berth on the seventh row having qualified in 13th.
Filed by Brendan Cole
