Formula One news

Räikkönen: Fully wet better than damp

Kimi Räikkönen was content with his fifth position on the grid ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix as the Finn returns to the track on which he clinched his world title with Ferrari in 2007. With just two races remaining before Kimi departs the Scuderia, he is keen to help the Maranello team finish third in the Constructors' Championship.

With many believing that McLaren has a greater chance than Ferrari of clinching the 'best of the rest' spot behind Brawn and Red Bull, the red team was given a helping hand on Saturday as both Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton were eliminated in the first phase of the qualifying session.

"Overall, I'm pleased with this result," commented Räikkönen, although team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella starts at the back following a spin. "On the extreme Wet tyres, we were very competitive and I actually think that if the conditions had stayed bad enough for these tyres, I could have done better than fifth place.

"However, on the Intermediate tyres the car was no longer as easy to drive because it is harder to get them working at their best. If it rains tomorrow, it will be very tough because here you see almost nothing if you are behind another car and the conditions become really difficult."

Kimi added that he agreed with the organisers' decision to delay Q2 significantly until 'acceptable' conditions were available for the field.

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