Budapest, 4th August 2007

It is a cliché that the Hungarian Grand Prix is a dull weekend, but the facts tend to tell a different story; remember last year's action packed wet race? Today's qualifying session was certainly surprising and, unfortunately, a little bit chaotic for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. The plan was straightforward enough, with both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa targeting third place on the grid for tomorrow's eleventh round of the world championship. The three free practice sessions had provided enough evidence that the F2007 was not quick enough here to really challenge it closest rivals and the Finn nearly met his target, but will actually start from fourth place on Row 2. As for Felipe, a combination of driver and team error saw him fail to make the cut to get into the top ten and thus take part in Q3, so that the Brazilian starts from down in fourteenth spot.
The front row of the grid belongs to McLaren-Mercedes, with pole going to reigning champion Fernando Alonso ahead of series leader, Lewis Hamilton. But there was controversy here. Both men came into pit lane at the same time to take on tyres for their final run in Q3. Alonso was first in and although he was waved on by his pit crew, the Spaniard opted to remain stationery for a short while. Hamilton had to wait behind and the time lost meant he did not get the chance to go for a second run. Sharing the second row with Kimi is the BMW-Sauber of Nick Heidfeld. There are no less than three German drivers in the top six as, apart from Heidfeld, Nico Rosberg is fifth for Williams and Ralf Schumacher is sixth for Toyota. The Hungaroring is often described as "Monaco without the barriers," because it is so tight and twisty with very limited passing opportunities. Therefore, Felipe can expect a really tough time tomorrow afternoon, unless further unpredictable events play into his hands.