Rain tires “easily subject to aquaplaning” according to Räikkönen

Crowned world champion in 2007 on the same Interlagos track, Kimi Räikkönen experienced a premature end to the race yesterday in Brazil, which could have gone badly for the driver of the Team Ferrari.

Third on the starting grid, Kimi Räikkönen quickly lost his place to Max Verstappen at the start of the race, before benefiting from the stopping of Red Bull Racing at the time of the neutralization of the event following Marcus Ericsson's accident, to recover his initial position.

But the Finn was caught on the restart on the straight, aquaplaning, before hitting the protective walls twice and stopping in the middle of the track. The Finn escaped unscathed, but the incident could have been dramatic, with several cars coming very close to hitting the #16 SF7-H.

“I had this aquaplaning in a place where I didn't expect it: in the middle of a straight line, explained Räikkönen. I almost got the car back, but I got out at a very bad place. Rain tires are very vulnerable, and easily subject to aquaplaning.

It obviously depends on the circuit and many parameters, but compared to a few years ago, these tires could handle these quantities without aquaplaning issues. »

The Finn was not the only driver to complain about the wet track tires supplied by Italian manufacturer Pirelli. Romain Grosjean admitted after his accident on the pit exit lap to reach the starting grid which “Pirellis are far from good in the rain. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the Brazilian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Sao Paolo, in AUTO issue 2089hebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.