Formula One news

Kimi chose to protect engine

Kimi's race at Sakhir was all about the start where he lost a position to Fernando Alonso. The Finn had to wait until the pit stops to take the place back, but by then he felt it was too late to go after leaders Massa and Hamilton and insteaed settled for third in order to protect the engine he has to use again in Spain.

"I lost a place to Alonso and then I did not have a big enough edge to overtake him on the track and was stuck behind him," Raikkonen said. "The only hope was the pit stop. You never know what can happen, but the team did a great job, calling me in at the right time and doing everything perfectly. Unfortunately, the leaders were already a way ahead and there was little I could do about winning."

"So I didn't see the point in taking any risks and chose to look after the car, especially as I will be using that same engine in Barcelona," he added. "Twenty two points are a good amount, as I said before, but I think I could have got all the available points. I am sure we can be stronger if we manage to optimise the performance of the car and I hope we start doing at the next test session."

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