Raikkonen snatches pole position for Italian GP

Teamcar - Kimi Raikkonen snatched pole position from Michael Schumacher in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix by just two thousandths of a second, turning the cheers of Ferrari's home fans to groans of dismay. The McLaren man clocked 1:21.484 around the Monza circuit and behind Schumacher Nick Heidfeld put in a great lap for BMW Sauber to take third.

Alonso was compromised by his puncture and could well have been further up, while the top five were within a second and Button was only just outside it, so there should be a good scrap for the podium positions. Final top ten classification: Raikkonen, M. Schumacher, Heidfeld, Massa, Alonso, Button, Kubica, de la Rosa, Barrichello, Fisichella.

Renault's Fernando Alonso has been penalised for hampering Ferrari's Felipe Massa in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix and the Spaniard will drop from fifth on the grid to 10th. Alonso was called to a stewards meeting after the session and was stripped of his three best laps and subsequently loses five places.