'P4 okay, but being so close hurts' laments Raikkonen

©WRI2

40

Kimi Raikkonen has been at the forefront of the running in Barcelona since the race weekend got underway yesterday, but P4 in qualifying has left the Finn disappointed.

Raikkonen topped Saturday morning's final practice session, and the 2008 world champion was viewed by many as the man to beat in qualifying.

But it just didn't come together for Iceman who was left frustrated by what he felts as a real opportunity to clinch his first pole since Magny-Cours in 2008.

"I struggled for whatever reason to put a decent lap, all the corners, together in qualifying," Raikkonen said.

"I thought I had a lot of speed but I never really managed to make a good lap out of it. It's disappointing, OK, it's fourth place, but being so close it hurts a bit.

"It's nothing new, tomorrow we try again. The car has been good, but it has been a bit tricky with the conditions, but that's the same for everybody.

"The car has been working pretty well, I'm happy with that, but it's a bit disappointing doing small mistakes here and there and never really putting a good lap in."

Small error costs Vettel pole position in Barcelona

Raikkonen admitted that he simply didn't to raise his game in order to overcome the 'small mistakes'.

"Drive better! Don't make those mistakes. There's no secret," he confessed.

"Obviously when you make those mistakes and the conditions are calmer you get away with a lot more. But when you have these conditions and you get it a bit wrong it's hard to get it back.

"I'm disappointed I didn't get a better result I'm happy with how we've been running.

"We still suffered a but from that but, apart from that, things have been running smoothly, the car feels good, so it's up to me to make it better."

Win the ULTIMATE TRACKDAY with F1i.com!

GALLERY: All the action from Barcelona on Friday

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.