Qualifying 2 Report - Raikkonen confirms pole

Kimi Raikkonen confirmed his pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix with a lap which was a massive six-tenths faster than the best time of Fernando Alonso. The indications are that the McLaren is running a lighter fuel load and perhaps even going for a three-stop race. Alonso's time was only a tenth faster than the BAR-Honda of Jenson Button and the Englishman remains looking very strong for the race. Much will of course depend on fuel load and track position but the race looks like being a fight between BAR, Renault and McLaren. Ferrari is out of the picture because Michael Schumacher went off on his qualifying lap and ended up 14th on the grid with Rubens Barrichello in 10th.

The Williams team is also in the hunt with Mark Webber having qualified fourth, despite setting only the 11th fastest time of the morning session. This suggests that the Australian is running a big fuel load and hopes to go longer than some of his opponents. With overtaking so tough at Imola this could work out well.

Jarno Trulli was fifth fastest ahead of Takuma Sato, Alexander Wurz, Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld. Barrichello was 10th ahead of Ralf Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, Giancarlo Fisichella, Schumacher, David Coulthard, Tonio Liuzzi and the usual Jordans and Minardis at the back Christijan Albers going off on his fastest lap.