Raikkonen: 'Not easy' to avoid a Verstappen Austria lap one crash
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen says he and Max Verstappen did well not to crash during their wheel-banging tussle on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix

Raikkonen had challenged the two Mercedes cars for the lead into Turn 1, but was soon back down to third and came under attack from Verstappen after exiting Turn 6.
The Red Bull driver got a run and committed down the inside at the fast Turn 7 left-hander, with his right front making contact with Raikkonen's left rear and forcing the Finn wide.
The clash prompted an investigation by the stewards - but they ultimately decided to take no further action and Raikkonen conceded afterwards that the move was "fair enough".
"There was a lot happening in the first lap and I got a little bit sideways, lost the line a little bit into six and Max was very close into seven," Raikkonen recalled.
"The car in front of me [Valtteri Bottas] disturbed me a bit [into Turn 6], and [Verstappen] got the run, I tried to hang on the outside.
"I got a bit sideways because we touched a little bit and lost the place.
"We did the best out of it, not taking each other out and fighting through that kind of corner, it's not easy to stay next to each other when you try [that].
"That's what happens sometimes, it wasn't ideal for me but it was fair enough."
Verstappen reckoned the move made for good viewing.
"It was hard racing but good racing," he said.
"Kimi is experienced enough to handle the situation well. "We had a little touch but I think it's good for the sport."
The overtake proved crucial for the outcome of the race, as Verstappen went on to beat Raikkonen to victory after mechanical misfortune struck the two Mercedes cars.
Asked whether he could have won the race with a few more laps, Raikkonen said: "Sure, [it was] possible, but this is the laps that we have in the race.
"It's always easy to say 'if' this, 'if' that.
"Basically, I think we had good speed, especially in the end. A little bit tricky on the first part in the second stint, and then once the tyre started to do the work, [it] was good.
"It's disappointing - [but] obviously it's great for the team, a lot of points against the team that we race in the championship [Mercedes], they had a pretty awful day.
"In that side it's good but obviously we want to win. And we had this speed in the end, but it didn't happen today."

Previous article
Max Verstappen's Austrian Grand Prix tyre tactics 'unbelievable'
Next article
Pierre Gasly: Stoffel Vandoorne crash caused 'rallycross' race

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Kimi Raikkonen , Jos Verstappen , Max Verstappen |
Author | Scott Mitchell |
Raikkonen: 'Not easy' to avoid a Verstappen Austria lap one crash
Trending
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed