Raikkonen takes first pole of season at German GP

TEAMCAR - Kimi Raikkonen finally claimed his first pole position of the season at the German Grand Prix, the McLaren man's best time a 1:14.070. The Finn was just under one and a half tenths faster than Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, who will line up along side, and the second Ferrari of Felipe Massa was third. Reigning champion Fernando Alonso could only manage seventh.

Michael and Massa will line up second and third -- one has to imagine that Raikkonen is running quite light on fuel so it will be interesting to see how the strategies play out on Sunday. It was a poor day for Alonso -- not much of a 25th birthday present -- but if Raikkonen can take points off Michael it will be a slight compensation for Renault.

Despite Raikkonen being on pole Ferrari look to be the favourites in the race. No matter what happens on Sunday Alonso will still lead the standings going to Hungary, but by how much? Final top 10 classification: Raikkonen, M. Schumacher, Massa, Button, Fisichella, Barrichello, Alonso, R. Schumacher, de la Rosa, Coulthard.