Kimi Raikkonen expected Mercedes to be "even stronger"

  • Published on 05 Sep 2016 12:50
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

The Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line in the Italian Grand Prix in fourth position on Sunday claiming twelve points in the drivers standings. 

Ferrari knew that they could not win the race on outright pace and therefore switched to a two-stop strategy rather than a one-stop strategy like the Mercedes. Although Raikkonen admits it wasn't the quickest way around the circuit, he feels it was the right thing to do.

"No, I think it [running supersoft-supersoft-soft] was the fastest way from start-to-finish for us, but unfortunately it wasn't enough for better results today,” Raikkonen explained. “But at least we kind of gave them [Mercedes] something to think about. Personally, I expected them to be even stronger in the race."

“So, I think in a way it was okay. Obviously third and fourth is not what we are looking for, but that is what we got. We did our maximum.” 

When asked about his battle with team-mate Sebastian Vettel, he said: “With Sebastian we were more or less driving behind each other and when you race against your teammate there's not much that you can do, we both know what the other guy is going to do,” he added. 

“After the start it was a bit tricky and I got close after the first pit stop, but then he was able to pull away.” 

Raikkonen was also quizzed about the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix where last year a Ferrari won as Mercedes mysteriously struggled.

"Obviously the last few weekends it looks like we have been going in the right direction again. We have to keep that up and keep doing our maximum and then see what it brings."

"The last couple of weekends have been a completely different story between the teams and also speed-wise, so who knows what comes next,” he concluded. 

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Ferrari's best chance at a win this year but they have Redbulls now to fight. If Ferrari can't win this on merit they can paint a prancing donkey on their cars, seriously.

    • + 0
    • Sep 6 2016 - 10:57

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alfa Romeo Racing
  • Points 849
  • Podiums 26
  • Grand Prix 139
  • Country FI
  • Date of b. Oct 17 1979 (45)
  • Place of b. Espoo, FI
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar