Lack of downforce cost Ferrari - Raikkonen

© XPB 

Kimi Raikkonen blamed Ferrari's poor showing in the British Grand Prix on a lack of downforce which was accentuated by the damp conditions.

The race started behind the Safety Car due to heavy rain 20 minutes before the start, with the track drying slowly throughout the race. Raikkonen started from fifth on the grid and had dropped to sixth before a late move on Sergio Perez regained fifth. Eventually crossing the line nearly 70 seconds behind race-winner Lewis Hamilton, Raikkonen believes a lack of downforce compared its rivals hurt Ferrari even more due to the conditions.

"Obviously the whole weekend has been difficult and I think this was as good as we could get," Raikkonen said. "We seem to be missing a little of downforce and in a place like this, with these conditions, it’s not easy because of that. We need downforce here to be fast, especially with mixed conditions, the wind and everything. You take a big penalty for that but that’s how it was here.

"The next circuits are much more normal for us. Downforce will help in any place, it doesn’t matter where we go, so that’s definitively what we need to be able to challenge in every kind of circuit and beat the Mercedes."

And Raikkonen feels the level of downforce is currently Ferrari's biggest weakness, especially on a circuit such as Silverstone which features so many high-speed corners.

"Obviously we have to improve in all the areas, I’m sure if we got the same downforce as some cars in front of us it would be a completely different story. Like I said all the areas can be improved but I think, right now, in this kind of condition and circuit that’s our biggest issue."

RACE REPORT: Hamilton beats Rosberg and Verstappen in British GP

AS IT HAPPENED: British Grand Prix

FEATURE: Home sweet Home - Eric Silbermann on Silverstone

Romain Grosjean on predicting race results and collisions between team mates, in his latest column for F1i

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter