A Hectic Qualifying Session in Melbourne

By Karl King
April 1 2006

McLaren line up fourth on fifth on the grid when the Australian Grand Prix kicks off tomorrow. Kimi Raikkonen will front the team's efforts off the grid, with his Columbian team mate, who would look lighter than the Finn, behind him. Let's take a look at how the drama unfolded...

Knock Out Phase 1

Early McLaren optimism was shown in phase 1 when Juan Pablo Montoya lead Kimi Raikkonen to a timesheet 1-2 for the team.

It was Japanese driver Yuji Ide who caused the drama though. The unexperienced driver managed to spin his Super Aguri three times in the 15 minutes session, even once bringing out a red flag when he couldn't find reverse.

Much to what will be the displeasement of engine suppliers Honda, Ide later held up their man Rubens Barrichello whilst on his late hot lap. This put the unlucky Brazilian into the drop zone.

The usual suspects joined Rubens with the Aguri drivers and Midland drivers getting the chop. The race was on to get out of the last drop position, with Scott Speed falling foul and being knocked out early on.

OUT: Rubens Barrichello, Christijan Albers, Scott Speed, Tiage Montiero, Takuma Sato, Yuji Ide.

Knock Out Phase 2

Juan Pablo Montoya was again on the money in the second session. The Columbian flew to the second fastest time behind Alonso, whilst team mate Kimi Raikkonen was in a safe fifth position.

Perhaps the surprise of the session were Ferrari who failed to get either of their cars through to the final shoot-out.

0.004 of a second separated Michael Schumacher from making it into the final shoot-out. Jacques Villeneuve beat him into the session with the ex-champions closely matched on times.

Micheal's team mate, the eratic Felipe Massa, caused the second red flag of the session as he lost control of his 246-F1 at turn 9.

It was a case of 'Noah's Ark' with the Renaults, McLarens and BMWs going through two-by-two, along with Mark Webber and Jenson Button.

Nico Rosberg was caught out on his lap, the rookie failing to make it through to the shoot out for the first time in his short career in F1.

OUT: Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Christian Klien, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa.

Pole Shoot Out

It was Englishman Jenson Button who set a stormer of a lap to snatch pole in Melbourne.

Button's lap was 0.4 seconds faster than closest rival Giancarlo Fisichella, with Fernando Alonso close behind.

In the closing stages it seemed that Juan Pablo Montoya would grab pole, setting fast times in the first and second sector. However a lack of pace in the final sector dropped him down to fifth, behind Kimi Raikkonen.

The Toyota TF106 showed improvement, with Ralf Schumacher taking sixth. His team mate did not take part in the final session due to a gearbox problem obtained late in the previous session. Jarno therefore qualified tenth but will be boosted up one place due to Jacques Villenueve's engine penalty. The Canadian changed his BMW engine and will face a ten place drop for the race, starting 19th.

His BMW team mate, Nick Heidfeld qualified eigth, just behind his 2005 Williams team mate Mark Webber, who will start seventh.