Melbourne, Australia (My Sportsbook) - Kimi Raikkonen, despite all the pressure in the world on him because he was signed to replace Formula One legend Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, started out very well winning the pole for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

The No.6 Ferrari posted a winning time of 1:26.072 around the 3.295 mile, 16- turn road course at Albert Park. The pole victory was the 12th of Raikkonen's F1 career.

Raikkonen had an off-year with McLaren in 2006 because he couldn't get his race car to last an entire race. He finished fifth with six DNFs. The preceding season when McLarens had more "staying" power, Raikkonen battled Fernando Alonso throughout the season finishing second. He earned seven wins and 13 top-fives and would have had even more points with a little better equipment.

This year the Finn will have one of the most reliable cars in history so he should rebound to fight for a title.

Start on the front row with Raikkonen will be the two-time defending series champion Fernando Alonso. Alonso's second-best time was 1:26.496 in a McLaren. Alonso won both titles with Renault but left the team after the season.

BMW's Nick Heidfeld (1:26.556) and McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton will make up row two.

The new lead driver at Renault, Giancarlo Fisichella, was a disappointing sixth.

Other drivers of note and their starting positions: Ralf Schumacher (9th), Heikki Kovalainen (13th), Jenson Button (14th) and Felipe Massa (16th).

Massa was driving in the second of three qualifying session and suddenly slowed with what appeared to be a transmission problem.

The race is set to begin on Sunday afternoon in Australia (Saturday night in the U.S.).