Raikkonen: I Could Have Won
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen said he was extremely disappointed after he crashed out of the German Grand Prix on Sunday, continuing a run of misfortune for the Finn at Hockenheim.
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen said he was extremely disappointed after he crashed out of the German Grand Prix on Sunday, continuing a run of misfortune for the Finn at Hockenheim.
Raikkonen, championship runner-up to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher last year, spun and slammed into the tyre wall after his car's rear wing flew off under braking into the first corner on lap 14.
The 24-year-old, who had been running in third place in engine partner Mercedes' home race, has yet to finish a German Grand Prix after four starts at Hockenheim. Last year his race was over on the first lap after he collided with Brazilian Rubens Barrichello and Germany's Ralf Schumacher.
Raikkonen said without the accident he could have won the race.
"Obviously I'm extremely disappointed as things were looking good, and there was no doubt that we were in with a good chance of winning the race," said Raikkonen. "I lost a place at the start to Alonso as he was extremely fast off the line, but I retook second place a few laps later and was able to keep up with Michael.
"I was quicker than him after my first pitstop and only needed a few more laps to be able to mount a real challenge for the lead. All of a sudden I just lost downforce and then I was a passenger. It's never nice not to finish a race, but at least we know that the pace is there.
"We are competitive and I'm looking forward to continue our challenge for victory in three weeks time in Hungary."
Raikkonen's teammate David Coulthard finished in fourth place.
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