Raikkonen rues backward step in qualifying

Based on his performance in Friday's practice sessions, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen had been expected to challenge for a front row spot on the grid for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Instead, he finds himself down in fifth place following a disappointing qualifying session for the team in which they failed to deliver on their earlier promise.

"Not an easy day. We tried to do the best we can and this is what we got. Obviously it’s far from where we want to be," said Raikkonen.

"I was a lot faster than this morning, personally," he admitted. "Yes we changed the car because it wasn’t very fast in the morning but for sure we went forward.

"For sure in the last sector is where we lost the most but if you're trying and pushing sometimes you get it wrong."

The warmer conditions on Saturday seemed to play more into the hands of Ferrari's rivals, but Raikkonen wasn't about to use that as an excuse for the team's disappointing showing in qualifying.

"It’s been quite difficult but the conditions are how they are," he shrugged. "For some reason we struggled a bit but the others did a better job and this is it."

Worse still for Raikkonen, he now finds himself stuck behind the two Red Bull cars on the grid which will make it hard for him to make forward progress in the race and carry the fight to the two Mercedes.

"Like any place you want to be as far forward as you can but this is our position now and we will hopefully make a good start in the first corners and then see how it plays out in the race.

"Obviously in the race it would be better [to be on the second row] but first we will try to make a good start and see what happens and get a nice clean first corner.

"Hopefully we can have a good strong start and see what happens," he added. "I have no idea what will happen so it’s pointless to start guessing. The only thing we can do is try to do as well as we can and push to have a good race, but that’s the normal thing that we always do."