Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen won today's Canadian Grand Prix to gain ten important Championship points. Team mate Juan Pablo Montoya was black flagged and excluded from the race for exiting the pit lane under a red light. Both drivers were on a two stop strategy in the 70-lap race but the second stops were brought forward as a result of the deployment of the Safety Car on lap 47. Kimi stopped on laps 24 (10.597 seconds) and 48 (10.850 seconds). Juan Pablo came in for fuel on laps 25 (10.117 seconds) and 49 (6.050 seconds). Kimi remains second in the Driver's World Championship with 37 points whilst Juan Pablo is 11th with 16 points. Team McLaren Mercedes is second in the Constructors' ranking with 63 points.
Kimi Raikkonen: "I have gained what I lost at the last race and my Championship battle is back on. I came here to get ten points and we got them and I'm really pleased. Just after my first pitstop my steering developed a problem which meant that whenever I was driving straight it was pulling to the left. After the race I learnt that the team was monitoring the situation carefully but I had to do the best I could and we made it. The team told me to take it easy but I still had to push, so it was all about finding the right balance. Towards the end Michael was catching up but it was not too much of a problem. I can't wait for the race in Indianapolis next week where I think, once again, we should be in with a good chance of winning."
Juan Pablo Montoya: "I'm disappointed because I was so close to winning my first race for the team. As a team we all try so hard to be the best but nobody is perfect and not being told to stop immediately after the Safety Car was deployed was made worse by me missing the red light which ultimately was the end of my race. I will quickly put all this behind me because I love Indianapolis and I'm really looking forward to racing there next week even though I will be somewhat penalised for having to qualify last."
Ron Dennis: "Throughout the race we had to take some difficult decisions which only increased the pressure on the pitwall. Against this backdrop the mistake was made of not calling Juan Pablo in immediately after the deployment of the Safety Car which, of course, was only compounded by him driving through the red light. This shadow should not detract from a fantastic race by both Kimi and Juan Pablo. A one-two was possible and would have most likely seen Juan Pablo take his first victory for the team. However, there are many more races this season and as always as a team we will bear the consequences of our actions whether they are positive or negative. Our strategy for the remaining races remains unchanged. We will attack with a clear intention of winning with a firm and continuing commitment to equality for the drivers."
Norbert Haug: "A great race and a good performance from Kimi, Juan Pablo and everybody in the team. Juan Pablo was disqualified because he exited the pit lane under red lights after his second stop. Sorry for him, he drove a great race and would have deserved a win, which hopefully he will achieve very soon; he showed today that he can do it. I would like to thank everybody for the efforts displayed at McLaren in Woking, Mercedes-Ilmor in Brixworth and at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and we are all now looking forward to the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis in seven days."
