Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen felt anything like an F1 driver after limping his way to a distant fourth in the last round of the world championship in Abu Dhabi.

The Finn salvaged a spot just outside the podium despite the threat of Max Verstappen's Red Bull inching closer in the closing stages of a race in which the Ferrari driver took no pleasure.

"To be honest, the whole race was pretty much fuel-saving, trying to hold the guy behind and save enough fuel to be legal at the end," Raikkonen said.

"Nothing to do with racing, really. Unfortunately that's the rules. Some circuits it's like this, and it's not really fun."

Raikkonen considered he had a good car on Sunday but under-performed compared to team mate Sebatsian Vettel who finished almost 25 seconds up the road.

"We had a decent car, but when it's like this there's nothing to do with the car," said the Finn.

"Rules are rules, it just doesn't feel like racing really, we're just trying to use the amount of fuel we are allowed, and cruise every lap."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Austrian GP Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

Don’t let the idyllic green hills of Spielberg fool you. Clocking in at a compact…

11 minutes ago

Red Bull apologises, takes blame for Verstappen Q3 crash

Red Bull has accepted full responsibility for Max Verstappen's dramatic qualifying crash at the Austrian…

1 hour ago

Norris: McLaren 'where we deserve to be’ but race brings opportunity

Lando Norris admitted McLaren ended up exactly where it belonged on the grid after Saturday’s…

3 hours ago

Austrian GP: Saturday's action in pictures

F1 fans near and far were treated to a thrilling qualifying at the Austrian GP,…

16 hours ago

Hamilton hopes Ferrari can ambush Russell into Turn 1 in Austria

Lewis Hamilton believes that Ferrari’s best chance of disrupting Mercedes in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix…

16 hours ago

Russell: ‘Unbelievable’ Austrian GP pole lap came out of nowhere

George Russell was not about to let a cloud of controversy hang over his Austrian…

17 hours ago