Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFerrari

First podium for Kimi since 2013

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Kimi Raïkkonen's upbeat performance today in Bahrain earned the Ferrari driver his first visit to a F1 podium since the South Korean Grand Prix in 2013.

A spirited drive right off the bat saw the Finn get the measure of his team mate Sebastian Vettel and then bark at the heels of Nico Rosberg towards the end of the race, eventually gaining access to second place when his rival's Mercedes fell victim to a brake issue.

"Obviously, you’re never happy when you finish second," Kimi said. But I think after a difficult start to the year, I’m a bit pleased to get a result."

Raïkkonen believes he got the most out of both the car and the strategy put forward by Ferrari, and that an outright win on merit was never really in the cards.

"We did the right calls and had the right tyres, but we need to start a little higher up. We came through in the end very quickly but we ran out of laps. We have to be happy after where we qualified and after where we finished, but obviously we’re looking for bigger results."

In typical low-key Raïkkonen fashion, the Finn expressed his views with a fair degree of measure but still underscored his satisfaction with the team's current progress.

"I’m very happy with how the team is working. After last year, where we are now, it’s a big step. Everybody is working really well together and the atmosphere is good. I’m sure, as a team, we’ll get there, and be able to fight for wins. But it will take a little bit more time."

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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.