F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Marchionne unimpressed with Raikkonen form in China

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne is urging Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene to sit down with Kimi Raikkonen to discuss the Finn's disappointing level of performance.

Ferrari once again proved a major threat to Mercedes this weekend in China but Marchionne considers there is a clear gap in performance between Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

The latter was held up by his team mate in the Shanghai race and once he got past and enjoyed a clear road ahead, catching Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull was accomplished in no time.

"I talked about this with Maurizio," explained Marchionne after the race.

"Maybe they should sit around a table and he should talk to him. Today he seemed to be busy with other stuff. Vettel was more aggressive."

Marchionne believes the race would have enjoyed a very different complexion without the successive safety car periods which proved detrimental to Vettel.

"We are fighting with Mercedes. Without the safety car the story of the race should be different. I can confirm that our choice to change the tyres of Vettel was correct.

"It was a nice race, we arrived second, we are second in the constructors’ championship by one point and Seb has the same points as Hamilton. That’s not bad after two races."

GALLERY: All the pictures from Sunday in Shanghai

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.

Recent Posts

Button on racing’s mental toll: ‘As drivers, we’re flawed’

Jenson Button has offered a stark, unusually candid reflection on what really sits beneath the…

49 minutes ago

Bearman admits F1 debut with Ferrari ‘was a crazy step’

For most young racing drivers, a call-up to Ferrari would feel like a dream. For…

2 hours ago

Verstappen leads Nürburgring 24 Hours in thrilling closing stages

With less than five hours remaining in the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours, Max Verstappen has…

4 hours ago

Sainz samples new Madring: ‘You’ve created quite a cocktail’

The Spanish Grand Prix’s future home is still surrounded by construction barriers, deadlines and heavy…

20 hours ago

Ten years on: Marko reveals Horner resisted Verstappen promotion

Helmut Marko has revealed that Max Verstappen’s in-season promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull…

22 hours ago

Schumacher and Irvine paint the town red in Monaco

On this day in 1999 in Monaco, a dominant Michael Schumacher secured his 35th career…

23 hours ago