Kimi Raikkonen claims his first pole, Jos on 18th

Published on 28 June 2003 by Huub Rothengatter

Jos Verstappen won't start from the back of the grid in his 100th Grand Prix. The last row is for Justin Wilson and Nick Heidfeld. Jos was just a little faster than his team mate.
Nick Heidfeld suffered from the problems both Saubers had, he went off track after missing the braking point and the apex of the first corner.
The end of the qualifying session was very exciting; Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest man on the track and claimed his 1st pole position.

The track was dry and the qualifying for the European Grand Prix was scheduled. In the early stages of qualifying Olivier Panis again confirmed the progress of Toyota by putting the mark high for the other drivers. In the end only 6 drivers were faster than the sympathetic Frenchman.
Not only Toyota but all Michelin fitted team went well. Only both Ferrari's on Bridgestones were able to position themselves in the top 10.
Michael Schumacher had a hard time after he saw his provisional pole position on his 'home Grand Prix' slip through his fingers. Kimi Raikkonen pipped him with a difference of 0.032 seconds.