Raikkonen: We weren't fast enough

[Dare]

Ever notice reading what Kimi has to say is a lot more interesting
than we you actually hear him say it



Kimi Raikkonen has lamented Lotus' lack of pace which prevented him - along with a mistake of his own - from winning the Bahrain GP.

Four races into his Formula One career, the Finn was back on the podium, finishing runner-up to Sebastian Vettel at the Sakhir circuit.

Raikkonen, though, was left to wonder about what could have been if only his one serious attempt to overtake Vettel had come off.

"I think we gave ourselves a chance but I'm disappointed I didn't manage to win it," he said.

"I made a small mistake at the beginning, lost one place to Ferrari, and I had to get that place back.

"In the end we were not fast enough to win.

"I got one chance to get past Sebastian but I chose the wrong side.

"That was the only chance really."

The Finn at least found something to be cheer about as Lotus achieved a ouble podium finish with team-mate Romain Grosjean in third as, unlike in China, the team made the right calls.

"At least we got on the podium with both cars.

"In the last race we failed and probably people thought we were a bit stupid.

"But it turned out to be the right direction and the team deserves what it has achieved today."

[David]

I can't believe he isn't over the moon with a result like that. 

I know he sniffed victory, but he has done on his return to the sport what the boss (Shumi, in case anyone's in doubt) has't been close to doing.

[Dare]

I can't believe he isn't over the moon with a result like that. 

I know he sniffed victory, but he has done on his return to the sport what the boss (Shumi, in case anyone's in doubt) has't been close to doing.

in 4 races too

[John S]

I can't believe he isn't over the moon with a result like that. 

I know he sniffed victory, but he has done on his return to the sport what the boss (Shumi, in case anyone's in doubt) has't been close to doing.

To be fair to Schumi that Lotus has looked pretty tasty at the last couple of races.
Hell even Bigjean his teamate is running up the sharp end.  I know Nico has just won in the Merc but it never looked on the pace today, or the whole of the last 2 years. 

Great drive from the Iceman today though.  Thought bloody smarty pants Brundle was bang out of order saying on Sky that Kimi clearly had a faster car than Grosjean today.      I always thought the best measure of a driver was to beat your teamate, Kimi clearly did that today and then some. Perhaps Brundle just can't accept there are really gifted drivers out there - since he's not one.   

 

 

[Willy]

Outstanding result for Lotus in the 4th race of the season.
The Kimster has not lost a step in his time in rallying etc.
Nice to see Romain up there as well.

On another note, it appeared that David Coulthard and Ben Edwards were on different continents in regards to the sound quality BBC had with their respective mics. Or David was doing colour from the bottom or a well.
Rather annoying.
Anyone else notice that?

[Jericoke]

Outstanding result for Lotus in the 4th race of the season.
The Kimster has not lost a step in his time in rallying etc.
Nice to see Romain up there as well.

On another note, it appeared that David Coulthard and Ben Edwards were on different continents in regards to the sound quality BBC had with their respective mics. Or David was doing colour from the bottom or a well.
Rather annoying.
Anyone else notice that?

i didn't have any problems with the audio this week.  last week I had that problem though.  The surround/stereo channel wasn't isolated correctly.  It might be a problem with the local signal broadcaster, not the on site production

[cosworth151]

Kimi has surprised me. He's done far better than I expected, certainly better than Schumi.

Ever notice reading what Kimi has to say is a lot more interesting
than we you actually hear him say it 

If they ever make another Dick Tracy movie, Kimi would be the perfect choice to play Mumbles.

[Jericoke]

Kimi has surprised me. He's done far better than I expected, certainly better than Schumi.

Ever notice reading what Kimi has to say is a lot more interesting
than we you actually hear him say it 

If they ever make another Dick Tracy movie, Kimi would be the perfect choice to play Mumbles.

BBC had a few of Kimi's in car radio comments.  He sounds alive and excited when in the car.

[Scott]

It's true.  I get the impression he just has contempt for the press.  At the end he was friendly and coherent to the team when he said sorry, but he only really had one good chance to get Vettel and it didn't work out.

[vintly]

Kimi's certainly winning me over - I didn't think he'd cut it this year. It's a shame he has this taciturn nature when speaking to the press but I guess it's his way of dealing with it. Good to see him smiling and chatting to Seb in the background of the shot, after the win when they were being weighed. And young Romain - not bad. What a team Lotus are shaping up to be!

[Ian]

I'm far from being a Kimi fan, but he well deserved that place.

[F1fanaticBD]

Even Ian says he deserved that place.. that says a lot about Kimi's drive to the almost winning position..

Seriously, to wrestle the way up, while you missed out Q3, and almost managed to stretch the runaway winner, who hardly made any mistake, does tell you a lot about the drive that you have produced..

Kimi is already a winner in this grand prix, whether statistics agree or not..and if he is not happy with the result, i guess that shows why he is almost challenging for the race win after only 4 races to his return...

[lkjohnson1950]

I like Kimi. How great to see a driver speak the truth: I gave it everything I had but we weren't fast enough. Didn't blame the team, said I made a mistake and we didn't quite have the combination. If by some miracle I were a great driver I would be the same way. I think he, like me, is just shy and uncomfortable among strangers. Oh, and I like ice cream too. 

[F1fanaticBD]

DO you enter ice-wagon races with the name "James Hunt " Lonny??