By Michelin Sport
August 6 2006

Kimi Raikkonen has qualified on pole position for tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix – the Finn's second such success in successive Saturdays. He lapped the Hungaroring in 1:19.599 to pip his closest rival by 0.287s. Raikkonen is one of six Michelin drivers from four partner teams in the top 10. Rubens Barrichello will line up third – equalling his best qualifying performance for Honda – ahead of Pedro de la Rosa, Giancarlo Fisichella, newcomer Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

Jenson Button was fourth fastest, but has lost 10 grid positions in the wake of an unscheduled engine change.

Nick Shorrock
Formula One Director
Michelin

"Temperatures remain much lower than those for which we had prepared, so all our partner teams have analysed yesterday's data very carefully to get the best from their car-tyre packages in the prevailing conditions. They also completed some further comparison runs this morning before making their selections. The upshot is that we have a variety of different products on the grid – the broadest range we have seen all season.

"I'd like to compliment Kimi on his second consecutive pole – that was a tremendous lap. I’d also like to pay tribute to Robert Kubica for making the top 10 qualifying shoot-out on his Formula One race debut.

"Although conditions remain cool, the ambient temperature rose by few degrees today and that improved grip levels. If it increases by a similar amount tomorrow, which is feasible, our tyres should edge into their operating range. If it doesn’t, our partner teams and engineers have done a marvellous job to achieve a strong, workable compromise."