F1: Raikkonen Wins Pole Position for Turkish Grand Prix

Topics:  Turkish Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen

VOA Sports
August 21, 2005

Finnish Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes has won the pole for Sunday's running of the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul.

Raikkonen piloted his car around the twisting, dusty track at a top speed of 221.357 kilometers per hour, just ahead of Italian Renault driver Giancarlo Fisichella.

Season points leader Fernando Alonso of Renault had the third fastest time and will start in the second row alongside Raikkonen's teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia.

Jarno Trulli of Toyota and Nick Heidfeld of Williams-B-M-W will start in the third row. Several drivers - including reigning driving champion Michael Schumacher of Germany, struggled to stay on the track. Schumacher slid off the course and failed to finish qualifying.

Alonso leads Raikkonen in the overall points standings by 26 points (87-61). Schumacher is third with 55 points.