Raikkonen: contact with Bottas is just racing

Kimi Raikkonen retired on lap 22 of the Mexican Grand Prix following another collision with Valtteri Bottas.

It was the Ferrari driver's second encounter with his countryman in three races after their run-in at the end of the Russian Grand Prix about a month ago.

The two men were moving up through the ranks and fighting for the same piece of tarmac when Raikkonen aimed for the apex at Turn 5 where Bottas had lined himself up on the inside. The Ferrari's rear right wheel clipped the Williams' front left, with Raikkonen vaulted into the air and retiring on the sport with a broken suspension. Bottas was fortunate to continue and even secure a podium finish.

The move was subsequently investigated by the Stewards who deemed that no further action was necessary.

While Raikkonen believes Bottas could have allowed the Ferrari more room, he refused to point an accusing finger at his countryman.

"I saw him on the outside on the previous corner," Raikkonen explained.

"I’m sure if he’d have gone over the kerb there would have been space, but obviously it was quite slippery there, he locked the front wheel and the end result is what it is."

" I had to turn in at some point, I couldn’t have kept on going straight. I was there, but it’s pointless to go through it, because I’m sure everyone will have their views."

"We have different Stewards at each race, and if you ask 10 people they will see it in a different way. Maybe he feels better now with what happened in Russia. I have nothing against anybody. This is racing, and if he has a better feeling now it's good for him."

Raikkonen had started from the back of the grid following an engine change but the Finn was making good progress before his retirement, and potentially could have secured a podium finish.

"I had a good car, I saved the tyres in the beginning but it was hard to know how long they would last. The car felt good and once we started to push we had good speed. I think we could have had a good race, but “good if” makes no difference and the end result is what it is."

REPORT: Rosberg holds off Hamilton in Mexican GP as Vettel crashes

AS IT HAPPENED: Mexican Grand Prix

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