1
Ferrari has leapt to the defence of Kimi Raikkonen, amid rising criticism of the Finn's driving in Russia.
The 2007 world champion was penalised by the stewards for ending his podium battle with Valtteri Bottas with a crash.
Fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen criticised Raikkonen for not clearly accepting the blame, surmising that he "had some frustration that his teammate (Sebastian Vettel) was once again ahead of him and heading for the podium".
Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda agreed: "Raikkonen tried as hard as he could and Sebastian blew him off in the end.
"And he blew himself off by hitting Bottas. I don't think it was such a great drive," he added.
Immediately after the race, however, Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said that the Maranello team admired Raikkonen for his fighting spirit in the battle for the lowest step of the Sochi podium.
As for the penalty, he recalled a similar move made by Daniel Ricciardo at Monaco, which was "almost the same (but) considered a racing incident.
"So I can't find any reason why (this) can't be considered a race incident too," Arrivabene added.
Raikkonen's crash also got the green light from the highest places at Maranello.
Piero Ferrari, the vice-chairman, co-owner and only living son of the great Enzo Ferrari, had a conversation with the Ferrari insider Leo Turrini this week amid events to mark the carmaker's stock market floataion.
"All of a sudden, he (Ferrari) said to me 'What about Kimi's race?' He said that he (Raikkonen) is exceptional, a real racing driver who is worthy of the Ferrari tradition," Turrini reportedly said on his blog.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
133,786 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
602,195 comments on Mercedes 56 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (1)
Login to replykhasmir
Posts: 893
I would have to agree with a racing incident, probably the stewards were a bit harsh because it was right at the end and for a podium place. But Bottas was very cautious under breaking and Raikkonen just went for it at which point Bottas slammed the door shut.