Indian GP: Raikkonen blames Saturday error for missing podium

Kimi Raikkonen reckons his Lotus was capable of delivering a podium in India but that starting from seventh on the grid made it almost impossible to fight his way into such a position

The Finn, who finished over 45 seconds off winner Sebastian Vettel, was left rueing a set-up change prior to qualifying which he claimed left him 'grip-less'.

Raikkonen then indicated that finishing in the same position in the race was a direct result of that.

"I really thought that we had a car this weekend that we would be able to fight for a podium with and I am very sure that we had," he said. "But the mistake we made yesterday took all those chances out."

Raikkonen's race consisted of a prolonged spat with Felipe Massa, and he briefly got ahead of the Brazilian for sixth position by pitting a lap earlier, only to then watch the Ferrari breeze past him in the DRS zone.

"I got once past after he came out [of the pits] but he just passed me in a straightline," said Raikkonen. "I had a very good car today but I just couldn't do anything, which is we were not able to pass anyone on a straightline.

"Quite disappointing but that is how it goes. We put ourselves in that position yesterday so we've paid the price now."

Raikkonen added that his slim chances of fighting Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso for the title had now all but gone.

The 33-year-old is 67 points behind Vettel with 75 points left on the table.

"The championship is gone pretty much, but that doesn't matter really," He said. "I am just disappointed with what we did yesterday because we had a very good car today so we couldn't do anything with it.

"Hopefully in the next race we can be a bit more smart and we have the speed again so I can challenge for a podium."