Kimi Räikkönen: “We had enough speed”

“I'm happier than finishing second. » On the descent of his Ferrari victorious this Sunday evening in Austin, Texas, Kimi Räikkönen could (finally) wear a real smile and wield a sense of humor.

It must be said that the 2007 world champion has just ended a drought running since Australia 2013 (with a victory for Lotus), i.e. 113 races without seeing the highest step of the podium which the Finn nevertheless has to several times approached closely.

A Texan success, the first for Ferrari, which also constitutes Räikkönen's first victory for the Scuderia since Belgium 2009. A return to the top which partly took shape at the start for Räikkönen, sharper thanHamilton towards the first corner of COTA.

« I got off to a good start and had to push hard, Iceman mentions. The tires weren't always in their best shape, but I think it was the same for Max and Lewis.

We had enough speed and we tried to be consistent and keep the tires alive until the end. It's been a while. »

Räikkönen highlights Ferrari's good choices regarding strategy with tire degradation which notably played tricks on Lewis Hamilton. “We had to come in at the right time and I had enough tires each time. And that was enough to win. It was a great battle, and that’s what we want as drivers. »

Discover the full report and analysis of the United States Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Austin, in issue 2188 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.