Raikkonen: 'We all know where the track limits are'

©WRI2

Kimi Raikkonen believes drivers are fully aware of where the track limits are and what is at risk by exceeding them.

The Ferrari driver was on the receiving end of a bold overtaking move by Max Verstappen on Sunday.

The Red Bull driver put one over on the Finn on the final lap of the race by passing him on the inside of COTA's Turn 17, but put all four wheels over the track to achieve his feat.

Considering Verstappen had gained a clear advantage with the maneuver, the Stewards laid down the law and hit him with a five-second penalty which demoted the driver to fourth.

As controversial as the decision turned out to be, Raikkonen says drivers should know the limits of where they are allowed to wander, and when.

"I think we all know where the track limits are and if you go over the white lines in certain places it is okay, but if you do it while you are passing people we all know you're going to get issues afterwards," said the Finn.

"The team has told us every weekend where you are allowed to go a bit wider than others, so we all know."

Verstappen was allowed the opportunity to challenge Raikkonen only because the Ferrari was running light on fuel, which enticed its driver to slow in the closing stages of the race.

"To be honest my car was very good all day with no particular issues. The tyres lasted well and the only thing was that I had to do fuel saving in the end, quite heavily, so I had to back off.

"When Sebastian [Vettel] got behind me I let him pass quite easily going into Turn 1 and then I tried to get a tow from him in the straights, to try and save a bit more fuel.

"That was really the only tricky point today that I had to save fuel but the car was really good."

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