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Raikkonen: Chinese GP "painful"

19:53, 15 Apr 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Raikkonen salvaged a podium for Ferrari despite the team seemingly focusing solely on Sebastian Vettel. Third place could have been more for Ferrari after having the measure of Mercedes for the majority of the weekend.

Kimi Raikkonen described his podium in China as "painful". The Finn, who has started 2018 in fine form, was used as a blocker for Vettel to try and overtake Valtteri Bottas after the Mercedes man had taken the lead through the pitstops.

“It was quite a painful race and not a very enjoyable one. At the start I had a good jump, but then I had to back off and this cost me a few places.

"After the pit stop the car was pretty fast and the feeling was good; at that point we were behind, but I could see the other cars at the end of the straight.

“The safety car helped us, at that time we had fresh tires,” Raikkonen continued. “I would say it took us back in the race. In the end I had a decent speed with the Mediums against the guys that were on the same tires, but getting close to them and try to follow was really tricky.”

Raikkonen had an opportunity to overtake Bottas towards the end of the grand prix however, much like Vettel managed last weekend, Bottas made his older tyres last the distance.

“For sure we were faster than Valtteri, but when you get close it becomes more difficult, you lose so much grip in the process and lose so much downforce, especially in this kind of circuit.

“I just couldn’t get enough of a run on him. Today we take the third place, but obviously when you start from the first row it’s far from ideal. We’ll try to do better next time.”