F1 News, Reports and Race Results

It only gets worse for Ferrari as Raikkonen fails on the grid!

Ferrari jumped from the frying pan and into the fire in Malaysia as Kimi Raikkonen was wheeled off the grid with another dramatic engine issue.

After Sebastian Vettel's power unit failed in qualifying yesterday, all hopes were pinned on the Finn to salvage a good result in Sepang and perhaps keep Vettel's championship hopes alive.

As he joined the grid, Raikkonen suddenly reported an issue, apparently linked to the SF70H's turbo. Initial investigation on the grid warranted the Scuderia being pushed off the grid and in to the pitlane.

The team's body language appeared to indicate a terminal issue which was confirmed shortly after the start with the confirmation of Kimi Raikkonen's official retirement.

Raikkonen was unaware of what had exactly caused his demise.

"I’m sure we will find out later but obviously it’s too early to say," he said later on in the paddock.

"It’s nothing that they (the team) did wrong. The car was working perfectly yesterday and all weekend and suddenly out of nowhere we had some issue today.

"It’s not blaming anybody, it’s one of those things that unfortunately happens.

"It’s not been the easiest weekend,” he admitted.

"I think car-wise, speed-wise we’ve been very good this weekend. But unfortunately Seb had issues yesterday with the other car and us today.”

"It’s disappointing but there’s nobody to blame. It’s one of those things."

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Michael Delaney

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