European Grand Prix: Raikkonen takes pole, Lewis Hamilton crash

Kimi Raikkonen took the pole position for the start of the European Grand Prix on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton unhurt after crash.

European Grand Prix: Raikkonen takes pole, Lewis Hamiton crash The Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was the fastest F-1 driver and took the pole for the start of the European Grand Prix tomorrow. Raikkonen was 31.450 seconds faster than McLaren's Fernando Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa.

But the final of the qualifier was delayed half an hour after Lewis Hamilton crashed into the barriers. Hamilton suffered a front wheel failure entering turn 8 and the McLaren bounced over the gravel trap before impacting hard into the tire wall. Medical personnel rushed to the scene, the British driver gave the thumbs up while being carried away on a stretcher. Later the medics confirmed that Hamilton did not sustain any serious injuries after the crash. If found fit to race on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton will start the European Grand Prix at the 10th position.

Following the crash, betting odds on Lewis Hamilton were immediately adjusted. The U.K. online sportsbook Bet365 (new window) offers 25/1 on the Formula 1 driver, and the North American Bookmaker (new window) had him listed at +300 to win the European Grand Prix, if he takes part in the race.

The British sportsbooks has Kimi Raikkonen favorite to win at 4/6, followed by Fernando Alonso 2/1 and Felipe Massa paying out 9/2. Bookmaker's odds on Kimi Raikkonen are -115, +200 on Fernando Alonso and +240 on Felipe Massa.

The 2007 European Grand Prix will start on Sunday, July 21st at 2:00pm local time. Here are the first 10 drivers starting at the race on Sunday:

1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari
2 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes
3 Felipe Massa Ferrari
4 Nick Heidfeld BMW
5 Robert Kubica BMW
6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
7 Heikki Kovalainen Renault
8 Jarno Trulli Toyota
9 Ralf Schumacher Toyota
10 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes

Published on 07/21/2007