F1 Russian Grand Prix: Raikkonen move ‘wasn’t completely stupid…’

The collision sent Bottas straight into the barriers and out, while Raikkonen nursed his damaged vehicle over the line in fifth place.

Since Raikkonen was unable to serve the penalty during the race, this was later converted to a 30 second penalty added to his final classification.

However, Hamilton’s teammate and nearest championship rival, Nico Rosberg, was forced to retire early in the race due to a throttle failure, and with Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen coming home in second and fifth respectively the constructors’ battle looked to be heading to at least the next race in the United States at the end of the month.

“I don’t know, for me it was racing”, said the Ferrari driver. “I was catching through Turn 3, I wasn’t too far and thought I’d try again”. I was there, but did he know that I was there? “It was a racing accident so I don’t see any reason why it can be considered as it was considered”.

“I tried to turn as much inside as I could but there was nowhere to go and we collided”.

“I don’t think it was something completely stupid that I tried”, he insisted, “We made a call and it was only two cars, but there are many ways of looking at the incident”.

“I didn’t see anyone there and I was in front, and then suddenly someone hits me”.

Sergio Perez oozed joy Sunday after finishing a surprise third for Force India in the Russian Grand Prix, thanks to a last lap collision that gifted him his podium finish.

The result of the race therefore remains provisional until the stewards decide what action to take.

Raikkonen had one last lap to help Ferrari achieve a double podium in Russian and more crucially try to keep their constructors championship hopes mathematically possible.