Raikkonen milestone Eifel GP 'not a great race'

©AlfaRomeo

Kimi Raikkonen became F1's most active driver in its 70-year history at the Eifel GP on Sunday, but it was anything but a memorable race for the Finn.

Raikkonen undertook his 323rd race start in Formula 1 at the Nürburgring, overhauling the previous record of Rubens Barrichello.

The Iceman's well publicized disinterest in statistics and milestones was perhaps fitting as the Alfa Romeo driver's afternoon in the Eifel was as insignificant as it was fruitless after a run to P12 sprinkled with a 10-second penalty for an early clash with Williams' George Russell.

"For sure it was not the most we could do but that’s what we got," Raikkonen admitted.

"Not a great weekend, neither on Saturday nor Sunday. We know if we get it wrong on Saturday it’s going to hurt us on Sunday, but that’s how it is…

"The start of the race was OK, but then I had to avoid some cars ahead of me and I lost a lot of places.

"We could have been a bit ahead, but the Safety Car cost us a few positions and the end result wasn’t great. It was a frustrating weekend, but we have to leave it behind us and try again next time."

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Raikkonen held himself accountable for his run-in with Russell that occurred as the Finn was the third driver in a fight involving the Williams charger and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

"Not much [to say], we touched each other and that’s it," said the 40-year-old.

"We were the three together, I think I locked the rears a bit, got sideways and then there wasn’t much else I could do."

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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.