Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

Raikkonen best of the rest - race pace promising

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Kimi Raikkonen says he should be even more competitive in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix after qualifying third in Montreal.

Raikkonen clinched his best qualifying result of the season, finishing behind the dominant Silver Arrows in a session where he was alone flying the Ferrari flag after team-mate Sebastian Vettel was sidelined early on with engine troubles. The Finn put in a consistent performance all afternoon, enduring a strong challenge from Lotus and Valtteri Bottas but ultimately emerging as the best of the rest.

"Overall the weekend has been pretty good," Raikkonen said. "I was a bit disappointed for the team that the other car had some issue but tomorrow is the race, in which we should be a bit stronger. We have to make a good start and go from there and see what comes out. So far it's been okay, not ideal as we want to be up front, but it's better."

Kimi Räikkonen's long runs on soft tyres on Friday demonstrated the Ferrari's competitive race pace, which may just offer the former world champion a chance to give Mercedes a run for its money on Sunday.

"We'll do our best but it's too early to say," tempered the laconic Finn. "Friday was Friday and the race is the race. We should be in a better position to go for the race but let's see what happens."

Click here for Friday's gallery from the Canadian Grand Prix

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.