Sunday, May 22 2005 15:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Monaco: Narain Karthikeyan will start 16th behind his teammate Tiago Monteiro of Portugal in the Monaco Grand Prix later today (May 22, 2005).

Kimi Raikkonen confirmed the superiority of McLaren-Michelin package as he clinched his - pole of the season.

Alongside behind Raikkonen, winner of the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago, on the front row was Fernando Alonso who had given Renault three victories this season.

Only 16 cars were on the track this morning in the second qualifying session.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was eighth and Rubens Barrichello in the next row on 10th position.

Missing were the two Honda BAR cars suspended for two races. Raikkonen's teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher of Panasonic Toyota who both will be starting from the back.

Narain said he was yet to come to terms with Monaco's street circuit where he was racing for the first time.

"I had more problems than expected. Monaco is not an easy track to learn for a new-comer," he said.