Raikkonen on pole for European Grand Prix
Hamilton declared fit to race despite crash
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen took pole position for the European Grand Prix yesterday in a qualifying session overshadowed by McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton crashing heavily.
McLaren's double world champion Fernando Alonso will join the Finn on the front row with Brazilian Felipe Massa qualifying third for Ferrari.
Hamilton, 12 points clear of Alonso after nine successive podium finishes, forced a half hour halt to qualifying when his car ploughed into the tyre wall after leaving the track at around 260kph.
The Briton waved and gave a thumbs up sign as he was carried away on a stretcher, with an oxygen mask over his face and a drip inserted.
However, yesterday evening McLaren cleared Lewis Hamilton to race today after he escaped injury. "There is absolutely no medical reason that he can't race," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis told reporters after the 22-year-old Briton returned to the paddock from hospital.
The rookie must however have a final check by the International Automobile Federation's doctor this morning before being formally given the green light.
"I'm feeling fine, very fortunate, very lucky that I haven't got any bruises. I'm sure tomorrow I'll wake up with some bruises," Hamilton said.
"The most important thing is that I'm well and the team is doing a good job to make sure we have a good car. I have to be signed off tomorrow morning, so we have to wait and see. But I feel fine for the race. So fingers crossed."
When the session resumed, there were just five minutes remaining for drivers to get in a quick lap and decide pole position. It was Raikkonen who made the most of the opportunity, lapping in 1:31.450 for the 13th pole of his career.
It also left the Finn perfectly placed for his third win in a row after victories in France and Britain this month.
Raikkonen is third overall, 18 points behind Hamilton. BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, whose wife gave birth to a son early yesterday, qualified fourth before flying to Switzerland to be with his family.