BUDAPEST, 23 August 2003 — Italian Jarno Trulli raised Renault’s hopes and left Formula One’s championship challengers in his wake in yesterday’s first qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Trulli roared around the revamped but dusty Hungaroring circuit in one minute 22.358 seconds, 0.055 quicker than Williams’ Ralf Schumacher. Ralf’s placing was a boost for the German after being freed this week from a penalty that would have forced him to start 10 places below wherever he qualified at a circuit with limited overtaking opportunities.
Australian Mark Webber was third fastest for Jaguar, 0.267 behind Trulli, with Briton David Coulthard celebrating his renewed contract for McLaren with the fourth best lap as drivers on Michelin tires swept the top four places.
Ferrari’s world champion Michael Schumacher, who leads Williams’ Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya by six points in the standings with four races remaining including Hungary, managed only the ninth best time. Trulli’s Spanish teammate Fernando Alonso was sixth fastest, behind last year’s winner Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari.
Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, third in the championship and nine points behind Schumacher, had a disappointing session and claimed 12th slot in his McLaren.
Mercedes Stick With Raikkonen and Coulthard
Formula One team McLaren-Mercedes yesterday announced that Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard will be their drivers for next year’s Grand Prix season.
Speaking before the first qualifying session, team boss Ron Dennis said McLaren was trying to win the championship.
