Kimi Räikkönen: Sochi is a step forward

Second on the starting grid in Russia, Kimi Räikkönen logically aimed for the top of the podium at the end of the event contested on the Sochi track. Unfortunately for the Finn, a tricky start saw him lose a position to his compatriot Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), future winner of the Grand Prix, and who at the same time won his first victory in F1.

The pilot Ferrari On the other hand, he was angry about his bad start which played a major role in the result of the Russian meeting. “I got off to a very bad start, including Seb’s, Iceman breathes.

I had a lot of spinning and I really thought I was going to lose a lot more positions, but luckily two cars collided very closely and I started to get the slipstream back and managed to stay in front Lewis in the end.

But, I don't know what happened. Mercedes and Valtteri were a little too fast, and we held our positions, nothing really happened during the race. Everything was decided at the start. »

Partly disappointed, Räikkönen wanted to remember the progress made compared to the first races of the year, which had not allowed the 2007 world champion to break into the top 3.

“I had a difficult start to the season, far from ideal, but this weekend is a step forward, admits Räikkönen. We were happier with how things went, but we still only finished third.

We keep trying and we keep improving and I'm sure we'll get there... you have to get all the little details perfect and then you can get first place.

There are four or five of us who are very close most of the time, so it's the little differences that make a big difference in the end. »

Flying Finns

On the F1 prize list, Valtteri Bottas has joined his illustrious compatriots Kimi Räikkönen, Heikki Kovalainen, Mika Häkkinen and Keke Rosberg, all Grand Prix winners or world champions for Rosberg, Häkkinen and Räikkönen. The latter did not fail to congratulate the Mercedes driver.

“I am happy for Valtteri. People always think we have something against each other because we've had a few clashes, but no. I am very happy for his victory.

That doesn't mean I'm not happy if Seb wins. It's good for him and everything will be fine. »

Find the full report and analysis of the Russian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Sochi, in issue 2112 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Thursday on newsstands.