Raikkonen leads Ferrari one-two at Spa, Belgian GP - Qualifying

Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa proved closely matched in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix as they locked-out an all Ferrari front row this afternoon. Just 0.017s separated the two over the 7.004 KM circuit, but it was Raikkonen who claimed the all-important Pole Position.

It was a relatively trouble-free run for the Ferrari duo, although a problem on Massa’s F2007 right at the start of the session was a concern for the Brazilian. Over at rivals McLaren, Fernando Alonso had it all to do on his final timed lap of the session after a spin at Rivage left him sitting provisionally tenth on the grid.

Alonso played it cool and his final lap was good enough to move him third fastest ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton who has not really got to grips with his MP4-22 this weekend. Hamilton starts fourth, but will be disappointed to be three-tenths off the pace of Alonso.

Robert Kubica suffered an engine problem in practice this morning and despite his efforts this afternoon to set the fifth fastest time, his ten position engine change penalty will see the Pole start the Belgian event back in 15th.

Nico Rosberg was sixth fastest and starts a very impressive fifth in his Williams Toyota. Team-mate Alex Wurz was almost a second off the pace of Rosberg in the second round of qualifying, and as a result did not make into the top ten shoot-out and lines up a disappointing 16th.

With Kubica relegated down the field, Nick Heidfeld is the leading BMW Sauber driver as he set the seventh fastest time and will line up sixth.

Mark Webber did a solid job to make it into the final round of qualifying, despite a miscue from the team that saw him miss his second run in Q2. Webber will start seventh in his Red Bull Renault with Coulthard 12th.

Jarno Trulli starts eighth in his Toyota, falling back a little compared to the positions occupied in practice. Ralf Schumacher did not make it into the third round of qualifying and starts 11th.

Heikki Kovalainen starts ninth in his Renault just ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella who did not make it into Q3. Given the pace of Kovalainen, 2.5 seconds off the pole, he probably has a relatively heady fuel load on board.

Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello line up 13th and 18th for Honda, the car showing its failings at this circuit while Tonio Liuzzi did a good job in his Toro Rosso to make it into Q2. The Italian will start from 14th position, just ahead of the unfortunate Kubica. Team-mate Sebastian Vettel starts 17th.

It has been a struggle for Super Aguri this weekend and today was no different with Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson qualifying 19th and 21st. Adrian Sutil led the way at Spyker Ferrari in 20th position with team-mate Sakon Yamamoto slowest in 22nd.

In a turn-around from last weekend at Monza, Spa Francorchamps seems very well suited to the Ferrari F2007 package.

Source: F1-Live.com