'Not much to lose' starting on ultra softs - Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen says that he doesn't have much to lose during the US Grand Prix starting the race on the ultra soft tyre - the softest compound available to the drivers this weekend.

The Finn set his fastest lap in Q2 on the purple-walled tyre, while his teammate and the two Mercedes' opted to use the super soft tyre, which they will start the race on. Raikkonen qualified in third place but will start the race from second following a penalty for Sebastian Vettel.

Raikkonen could play a crucial role in the race and indeed the title fight. Should Raikkonen better Hamilton at the start and go on to win the race, fifth place will be enough for Vettel to keep the title fight going to Mexico. However, a Hamilton victory would require Vettel to finish in second place.

Speaking about the upcoming race, Raikkonen says that he is targeting a strong start as he has not much to lose: “Yes, not much to lose,” Raikkonen said. “We will try to make a good start and go from there to see what we can do. It should be okay.

“I was a little bit too slow [on his final Q3 lap] but I can deal with it. It has been a positive day, for sure we got pretty close, but it is far from ideal. I felt good with the car, so we try tomorrow, it's going to be a long race. No one really knows how the tyres will survive because of yesterday’s rain, so it will be interesting."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • The Ultras still last okay, I think they will last long enough for it to be a one-stopper. Unless Ferrari find yet another creative way of bollocksing up their strategy, like how I somehow always manage to find some tasty snack in me kitchen.

    • + 0
    • Oct 21 2018 - 07:39
  • They will botch it up, and make it a 2 stop, and Kimi end up 3rd or 4th, if recent history is any indication

    • + 0
    • Oct 21 2018 - 08:04

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar