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McLaren's Lewis Hamilton gets ready for tomorrow's race
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March 15, 2008, 17:45
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton kicked off his Formula One season with a pole position in the Australian Grand Prix. World champion Kimi Raikkonen will start near the back of the grid, after his Ferrari suffered mechanical problems.
Hamilton had the fastest times in the second and third runs of the three-phase qualifying session at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. Raikkonen, who beat Hamilton by a single point for last year's title, will start 15th.
Compatriot Heikki Kovalainen qualified third on his McLaren debut pushing Brazilian Felipe Massa to fourth in his Ferrari. Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso, now back with Renault after a turbulent year alongside Hamilton at McLaren, failed to reach the final 10-car shootout for pole and will line up 11th on the grid.
Tomorrow's race is expected to be more challenging than usual, due to the absence of traction control and other so-called driver aids. - Reuters
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