Singapore GP: Kimi Raikkonen says back pain no problem in race

Kimi Raikkonen said he barely felt his back problem as he charged from 13th on the grid to third in the Singapore Grand Prix.

But the Finn admitted it was an issue he would have to try to resolve before the next race in Korea, and particularly before he joins Ferrari for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

The back pain that struck on Saturday in Singapore was a lingering legacy from a 2001 testing crash.

Raikkonen admitted that at one stage he was unlikely to race this weekend.

"I didn't feel it too much in the race," he said. "Yesterday not ideal and I almost didn't drive.

"We have to be happy enough with finishing third and we can sort the problems for the next race.

"It is not the first time I have had some issues with my back and I know I have some work to do over the winter so we will see what we can do.

"Now afterwards it's not 100 per cent. We have two weeks to rest and get it right. We did the best we could, and could not achieve much more today."

Raikkonen sealed his unlikely podium finish with a bold pass around the outside of Jenson Button's McLaren seven laps from the end.

The Finn played down the impressive manoeuvre.

"Maybe it looks more tricky," said Raikkonen. "You have more grip when you brake on-line and it's easier to know where you have to brake than on the inside.

"It's not an easy one but I managed to get past and that is the main thing."