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

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

9 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

10 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

11 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

13 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

14 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

15 hours ago