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Journalism of Courage
Kimi Raikkonen took pole position Saturday for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, while Formula One champion Fernando Alonso starts his title defense beside him at the front of the grid.
It was Raikkonen’s 12th career pole, but his first in a Ferrari. Formerly of McLaren, the Finn joined Ferrari to replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who retired after finishing second on the drivers’ standings last year.
Raikkonen completed the 5.303-kilometer Albert Park circuit with a time of 1 minute, 26.072 seconds. His last pole position was at the Italian GP in September, but he was winless in 2006 after winning seven races in 2005 for McLaren. Now he will have a McLaren as a rival beside him on the front row.
Alonso, sporting the No. 1 on his car once again, but with his new McLaren race car, was second with 1:26.493.
Raikkonen thinks his car can do better over the 58 laps in Sunday’s race.
Raikkonen’s teammate Felipe Massa did not fare so well and will start from 16th on the grid after a faulty gearbox prevented him from completing the second qualifying session.
–SALVATORE ZANCA
