Sunday, May 8 2005 15:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Barcelona: Narain Karthikeyan came up with an improved performance in the final qualifying ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix taking the 13th position on the grid at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona today (May 8, 2005).

Jordan driver Karthikeyan, who was 15th in the first qualifying, managed a better finish today with a timing of 1 minute 20.711 seconds, which was a fraction faster than team -mate Tiago Monteiro.

The combined timing of the Indian was 2:39.268 while Monteiro, who had 1:20.903 in the final qualifying, was at the 14th place with 2:39.943.

Proving his class, Kimi Raikonnen of McLaren, with a combined timing of 2:31.412, took the pole followed by William's Mark Webber (2:31.668). Fernando Alonso of Renaults had to content with the third position at 2:31.691.

It was the second straight pole for Raikkonen and the fifth of his career. He was third after the first qualifying session with a time of 1:14.819 and came back today with a time of 1:16.602.

Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher continued to struggle, clocking 2:33.551 for both laps, and he will start eighth on the grid.

Alonso was trying to win his fourth successive race of the season, while Schumacher was seeking to win in Spain for the fifth straight time.

The drivers will be covering 66 laps of the 4.627 km circuit later today for the Grand Prix honours.