Formula One: Raikkonen Wins Pole for German Grand Prix

Topics:  German Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen

VOA Sports
July 23, 2005

McLaren-Mercedes Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland has won the pole for Sunday's running of the German Grand Prix race at Hockenheim, his fourth pole of the season.

Raikkonen covered the 5.574-kilometer circuit in one minute, 14.32 seconds or more than 221 kilometers per hour. Britain's Jenson Button of BAR-Honda was second (1:14.759) with overall points leader Fernando Alonso of Spain third fastest in a Renault (1:14.904).

Raikkonen is hoping a win Sunday will bring him closer to Alonso in the overall standings. The Spanish driver has 77 points while the Finn has 51. But Raikkonen will have to overcome history to win - the last four years he has failed to finish the German Grand Prix.

Some information for this report provided by AP.