Ferrari: Kimi sets pace in France

Thursday May 22, 2008
MONTE CARLO, May 22 (Formula One) - Kimi Raikkonen underlined his belief Ferrari will be a force at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Reigning world champion Raikkonen, who also leads this season's drivers' standings by seven points, posted the quickest time in first practice under clear blue skies on the French Riviera.

However, the 20 drivers on show around the streets of Monte Carlo should enjoy the conditions while they last as rain is forecast throughout the weekend, more prominently on race day.

In dry conditions, Raikkonen edged out Lewis Hamilton by 0.268 seconds as he set a lap time of one minute 15.948secs in his Ferrari.

McLaren star Hamilton had led proceedings for the majority of the 90-minute session that had to be red-flagged for 16 minutes due to concerns over a manhole cover on a section of the public road.

But Hamilton, who was runner-up in last year's race, was forced to settle for second again as Ferrari - and Raikkonen in particular after the team's trouncing on this circuit last year - signalled their intent.

Heikki Kovalainen was third quickest, exactly 0.3secs down, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa completing a not entirely unexpected top four.

They were followed by Williams' Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica in his BMW Sauber, with Fernando Alonso - winner here of the last two races - seventh for Renault, but over 1.5secs down on Raikkonen.

Honda's Rubens Barrichello, the Red Bull of Mark Webber and Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella - on the occasion on his 200th grand prix - completed the top 10, all within two seconds of the leader.

Jenson Button was 12th, 2.2secs adrift in his Honda, with David Coulthard at the bottom of the standings without setting a time due to a small fire early on in his Red Bull.

BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld also suffered problems, slowing and pulling off track just before Casino Square, as did Jarno Trulli who buckled his left-rear wheel after clipping a barrier coming out of the tunnel.