Kimi Räikkönen delighted in claiming pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, ending a nine-year drought, but labelled his session as “by no means perfect.”
Räikkönen led the way in Q2 and cemented his authority in Q3, claiming provisional pole position before improving on his second run, the latter effort netting him top spot.
Raikkonen’s pole was his first since the 2008 French Grand Prix, while team-mate Sebastian Vettel reinforced Ferrari’s pace by collecting second position.
“Obviously it’s the best place to start from tomorrow, but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” said Räikkönen.
“I’ll happily take it. We’ve been struggling a bit in certain places, working and trying to figure it out.
“Qualifying was better, by no means perfect, but I think it’s never going to perfect.
“It was good enough and I was very happy with the car. You can always go a bit faster here and there, but that’s normal.”
Vettel, who headed the second and third practice sessions, admitted that he was “probably a bit too greedy” during his final qualifying runs.
“I think the car was fine today, it was really nice to drive,” he reflected.
“I pushed a little bit too hard on the first lap in Q3, I went wide at Turn 5, then on my second attempt in the second sector I was probably a bit too greedy, wanting a bit too much.
“I lost a little bit the car, but I’m sure if you ask anyone after qualifying we all feel there’s more.”
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