Heidfeld Claims Pole in Germany - Sat 28th May 2005
Nick Heidfeld snatched his first ever F1 pole position today from the jaws of Kimi Raikkonen and Mark Webber in the final moments of qualifying for the European Grand Prix. The German will start the race at the front ahead of Raikkonen and Webber.
Jarno Trulli set the pace for much of the session until the final three cars when Mark Webber pulled out a stunning lap to move a massive third of a second ahead of the Toyota. Webber's team mate was next and Heidfeld was even faster screaming over the line a further 0.287 ahead of the Australian.
Monaco winner Kimi Raikkonen was the last driver to qualify with the two BMW Williams cars setting a high bar. The Finn could not manage the magical pace of Nick Heidfeld but slipped his McLaren Mercedes in between the two Williams cars to qualify second. The good news for McLaren is that both its drivers are comfortably ahead of both Renaults.
There was more woe down at Ferrari. Michael Schumacher pushed hard on his qualifying lap using every inch of the track until half way around he ran wide and then never hooked the car up for the remaining corners. The reigning champion will start the race from tenth, 0.3s behind team mate Barrichello is seventh.
A lack lustre qualifying for Renault as championship leader Fernando Alonso had to make do with sixth position and team mate Fisichella was even further down the order in ninth. There is speculation however that the two Renaults may be carrying a bit more fuel than its rivals.
After a five-week lay off the BAR Hondas were back in action and forced to run first in the session. Sato ran wide in the final sector and qualified sixteenth while Button ended the day thirteenth.
