Raikkonen Laments Costly Error
Kimi Raikkonen lamented his error during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, but the Finn is still confident of a strong race
Raikkonen was last to run in qualifying after winning the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago but a puff of smoke from a locked wheel under braking on his timed run betrayed the Finn's error.
The McLaren driver will start from fifth place, but needs to win the race if he wants to keep his Championship hopes alive. His rival Fernando Alonso, who needs just six points to take the title, clinched pole position.
Without the error, Raikkonen believes, he would have been ahead of the Spaniard.
"That was a shame," admitted the Finn. "I came into the first corner and simply locked up and lost about 0.7 seconds.
"I pushed hard for the rest of the lap, but that sort of thing does upset your rhythm a bit. However, I did what I could to make up for the mistake, and I believe that without that I could have been on pole tomorrow.
"I now focus on the race where anything is possible. We will just go for it and do what we can. Our strategy should be strong so we will see."
Previous article
Post-Qualifying Press Conference - Brazil
Next article
Klien Delighted after 'Perfect' Lap
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Kimi Raikkonen |
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
