Raikkonen benefits as others slip in Istanbul

Kimi Raikkonen kept up the pressure on world championship leader Fernando Alonso with pole position for the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix today as the tricky new Istanbul Otodrom caused chaos in qualifying.

Raikkonen, the 25-year-old McLaren driver, won in Hungary last time out to close the gap to Alonso to 26 points and he spelt out his determination to close further by setting a blistering pace today.