Raikkonen says third was best possible

The McLaren driver had started from his first pole position of the year, but lost time with a pitstop problem and hydraulic issues.

And his afternoon had been compromised from the start by a refuelling problem before qualifying, where he had not been given his full allocation of petrol.

"I think we had some problems yesterday in the second part of qualifying and didn't put enough fuel in the car," said Raikkonen, who snatched third off Jenson Button in the final stint.

"We didn't have as much as planned. So I came in early, then I blistered my second set of tyres also.

"I also had a hydraulic problem and lost a place to Jenson. I was not getting full power and gear shifting was all over the place. So third is good for us.

"And with the problem in first pit stop too, it is good we were quick enough to gain that time back. But it was too much to beat Ferrari."

Raikkonen's dramas were not finished by the chequered flag, though, because he needed to put some fire extinguisher into his car in parc ferme.

"There was a little fire," smiled Raikkonen. "Nothing serious."