Silverstone, England ? Kimi Raikkonen claimed his third career pole, and six-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher turned in the fourth-fastest time in qualifying for the British Grand Prix on Saturday.

Raikkonen, of the resurgent McLaren Mercedes team, turned a fast lap of 1 minute, 18.233 seconds on the 3.195-mile Silverstone circuit for his first pole of the season. He last started from the top spot at the 2003 U.S. Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello, the defending champion who started from the pole last year, was second in 1:18.305.

Raikkonen also had the quickest times in three of the four practice sessions, including both sessions Saturday.

“Of course it’s nice to be in first place, especially with the start of the season being very difficult,” Raikkonen said. “This weekend has been very good. The balance has been good all the way through the weekend.”