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Fernando Alonso leads Chinese Grand Prix

www.chinanews.cn 2005-10-15 19:22:24

(Source: Agencies)

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso takes pole ahead of Renault team-mate
Giancarlo Fisichella for Sunday's China Grand Prix.

Shanghai, Oct. 15 - New world champion Fernando Alonso gave Renault the
edge for the constructors' championship, leading a sweep of the top two
spots in qualifying Saturday for the Chinese Grand Prix.
It was the sixth pole position of the season for Alonso and ninth of his
career, but the first time this season that Renault will dominate the
front row of the starting grid.
Alonso, who clinched the drivers' title two races ago, posted a time of 1
minute, 34.080 seconds on the 3.388-mile Shanghai International Circuit
to take pole after trailing Kimi Raikkonen through the four practice
sessions.
"I am a little bit surprised to be on pole position but the car was
perfect," Alonso said. "Everything here has been very positive all
weekend. Tomorrow I am full of confidence for all the team."
Alonso's Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella was second with a time of
1:34.401, while Raikkonen �� whose had some wiggles during his lap �� was
third at 1:34.488.
"The car was not exactly perfect," Raikkonen said. "We had a little bit
difficulty to get the tires working. For sure we knew before qualifying
that maybe we wouldn't get the pole, but we are still ready to fight for
the win."
McLaren teammate Juan Pablo Montoya looked to have fourth spot on the
grid before Jenson Button went out near the end of the session and posted
1:34.801 in a BAR-Honda.
McLaren and Renault are locked in a two-way duel for the constructors'
title at the Formula One season-ending Chinese GP. The order of the
constructors' standings determines how much funding each team receives
from the sport's governing body.
Renault leads McLaren by two points, 176-174, reversing the two-point
advantage that McLaren held last week. The competition could go down to
the last lap, just as Raikkonen passed Fisichella on the final circuit of
last week's Japanese Grand Prix.
Heading into Sunday's 56-lap race, Raikkonen has seven victories this
season compared to Alonso's six. McLarens have won the last six races
with Raikkonen and Montoya splitting them three each.
Raikkonen and Montoya were 1-2 in both morning practice sessions with
Alonso and Fisichella in third and fourth places.

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