Spain Sports News
Fernando Alonso starts 11th on the grid in Melbourne
By h.b.
Mar 15, 2008 - 8:01 AM

Fernando Alonso could not make the last round of qualification in the new Renault R28 car at the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne, and will start the race 11th on the grid.

His old rival Lewis Hamilton made pole position, but the Ferraris also had problems with Raikkonen starting 16th after mechanical problems.

Alonso had commented before the practice session that he did not think that any pole position was realistic for his team, given the current state of their car. He said he thought that it was Ferrari who were in ‘another level’.

The starting grid for Sunday’s race is as follows:
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren MP4/23 Mercedes 1:26.714
2. Robert Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber F1 08 1:26.869

3. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) McLaren MP4/23 Mercedes 1:27.079
4. Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari F2008 1:27.178

5. Nick Heidfeld (ALE) BMW Sauber F1 08 1:27.236
6. Jarno Trulli (ITA) Toyota TF108 1:28.527

7. Nico Rosberg (ALE) Williams FW30 Toyota 1:28.687
8. David Coulthard (GBR) RBR RB4 Renault 1:29.041

9. Sebastian Vettel (ALE) Toro Rosso STR2 Ferrari s.t.
10. Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Honda RA108 1:26.173

11. Fernando Alonso (ESP) Renault R28 1:26.188
12. Jenson Button (GBR) Honda RA108 1:26.259
13. Timo Glock (ALE) Toyota TF108 1:29.593 *
14. Kazuki Nakajima (JAP) Williams FW30 Toyota 1:26.413

15. Mark Webber (AUS) RBR RB4 Renault s.t.
16. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari F2008 s.t.

17. Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) Force India VJM01 Ferrari 1:27.207
18. Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) Toro Rosso STR2 Ferrari 1:27.446

19. Adrian Sutil (ALE) Force India VJM01 Ferrari 1:27.859
20. Takuma Sato (JAP) Super Aguri SA07 Honda 1:28.208

21. Nelson Piquet (BRA) Renault R28 1:28.330
22. Anthony Davidson (GBR) Super Aguri SA07 Honda 1:29.059