Raikkonen nets maiden pole

Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen snatched the maiden pole position of his Formula One career at the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in Germany today.

The 23-year-old saw off championship leader Michael Schumacher in his own backyard to take top spot at the 43rd attempt.

Raikkonen, who trails his Ferrari rival by three points, claimed pole for McLaren-Mercedes by just 0.032 seconds.

Ralf Schumacher’s run of two successive poles was ended as he finished third fastest with fellow Williams-BMW driver Juan Pablo Montoya fourth.

David Coulthard’s hopes of the victory he desperately needs to keep his faltering title hopes alive suffered a massive blow as another disappointing single lap effort in his McLaren left him back in ninth spot.

Jenson Button will start 12th for BAR-Honda with Ralph Firman 14th for Jordan - the best of his rookie season – while Justin Wilson will line up 19th for Minardi.