Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

Raikkonen facing 'some small issues'

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Kimi Raikkonen says he only has "some small issues" to overcome to be happy with the potential of his Ferrari in Monaco.

Ferrari looked competitive in FP1 as Lewis Hamilton topped the times, but Mercedes was comfortably quickest in the second session before rain prevented any improvements after the first 20 minutes. Having not had a chance to run the supersoft tyre, Raikkonen was predictably cautious in his assessment of Ferrari's chances but says he is encouraged by the start he has made.

“It was very OK," Raikkonen said. "I mean, obviously there’s some small issues but I think it’s more with the tyres to get the tyres warm enough, especially the front tyres.

"Overall we have some work to do but it’s not too bad, the feeling is pretty OK. Like I said we have to get the tyres working so it would have been nice to try the supersoft to see, I think they will work much easier. Not a bad start.”

Raikkonen says the main focus is on the front tyres after being pleased with the "masses of traction" he says the Ferrari delivers.

"Obviously we have to see how the weather is and work on the car a little bit and make sure the tyres work well and go from there and do the best that we can in qualifying and in the race.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.