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Raikkonen escapes in 320 kph crash

  • Story Highlights
  • Kimi Raikkonen escapes unhurt after crashing at 200mph at Monza.
  • The accident occurs during the final practice session for the Italian GP
  • Fernando Alonso takes pole position and Raikkonen qualifies fifth
  • Next Article in World Sport »
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MONZA, Italy -- Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was unhurt in a high-speed crash during final practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza before Fernando Alonso took pole position for Sunday's race.

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Raikkonen's wrecked car returns to the pits on the back of a lorry.

Raikkonen veered right at the approach to the left-hand Curva del Vialone at 200mph (320kph).

The car was destroyed on impact with the wall along the Curva del Serraglio and momentum carried it a further 70 meters into a tire barrier.

Raikkonen got out of the wreck of his car without assistance and was able to walk back to the garage

The accident took place 25 minutes into the hour-long session, which was held then delayed by 20 minutes so that marshals could repair the barriers

Alonso claimed the 17th pole position of his career for the 13th race in the 17-leg world championship, just ahead of McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton, who leads Alonso by five points in the drivers standings following his blistering start to the season, was second in qualifying just ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in a Ferrari.

Raikkonen qualified fifth in his spare car, just behind Nick Heidfeld in a BMW Sauber.

He was followed by BMW-Sauber's Roberto Kubica with 1:23.446.

"We've been quick all weekend," said Alonso, who was also the fastest in practice on Friday.

"Hopefully we can take that through to the race tomorrow."

With five races left, Alonso, Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen are separated by 16 points in the drivers' standings.

Hamilton leads with 84 points, followed by Alonso with 79, Massa with 69, and Raikkonen with 68.

Japanese drivers Sakon Yamamoto, who drives for Spkyer, and Takuma Sato, who drives for Super Aguri, both skidded off the track during the first qualifying session.

Neither was injured, although Yamamoto was forced to pit after damaging his front end. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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