Raikkonen: ‘The car is still not perfect’

Kimi Raikkonen says his Ferrari “is still not perfect” despite the Finn finishing both Sepang free practice sessions in P2, each time less than four tenths behind the pace-setting Mercedes.

Despite spinning in the afternoon, team-mate Sebastian Vettel also posted strong lap times ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix, which has prompted Lewis Hamilton to claim that both SF15-Ts “look great” around the Sepang International Circuit.

However, the 2007 world champion feels Ferrari still needs to make further improvements, especially on the car’s set-up.

“The whole day has been quite tricky,” said Raikkonen. “The morning was probably a bit easier than the afternoon, but I think we have to work a bit more on the set-up to get it a bit nicer.

“We have to still improve because we are struggling a bit. The car is still not perfect.

“I think we should go faster (but) it’s not a disaster.”

A two-time Malaysian Grand Prix winner (2003, 2008), Raikkonen claimed his maiden success in Formula One at Sepang when the then 23-year-old Finn took the chequered flag aboard his McLaren MP4-17D 12 years ago.

Click here for Friday's gallery from the Malaysian Grand Prix

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

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Alonso fears Aston Martin ‘may not be able to race’ in Monaco

The build-up to Formula 1’s most unforgiving weekend has taken a worrying turn for Aston…

25 minutes ago

Monaco GP: Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in red-flagged first practice

Charles Leclerc gave his home crowd plenty to cheer about by setting the fastest time…

1 hour ago

Monaco Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, round…

1 hour ago

Alboreto delivers to Uncle Ken his last F1 win

Michele Alboreto scored an unexpected victory on this day in 1983, winning the Detroit Grand…

3 hours ago

A thousand grids, one legacy: McLaren’s legends reclaim Monaco

A bridge across generations stood on the iconic Monaco grid this Thursday as McLaren’s past…

3 hours ago

Russell resets F1 title ambitions with ‘nothing to lose’ outlook

After the rollercoaster and heartbreak that was Montreal last time out, George Russell has chosen…

4 hours ago