• Chinese Grand Prix - Qualifying

Raikkonen says gap to pole is still too big

ESPN Staff
April 13, 2013 « Delighted Hamilton surprised by margin to Raikkonen | Final corner mistake cost Rosberg »
Lewis Hamilton highlighted Kimi Raikkonen as his biggest threat after qualifying © Getty Images
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Kimi Raikkonen says the gap to pole position is still too big despite qualifying in second place for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Second is Raikkonen's best qualifying result since joining Lotus, with qualifying pace having proven to be the team's Achilles heel during the last two seasons. However, despite his front-row grid position Raikkonen thinks the 0.3s gap to Hamilton is too big for the team to close down at the moment.

"I think the gap is quite big still and we don't have that speed right now," Raikkonen said. "We were second, it's not too bad. I think it's the best that I've been with the team ever so not too bad, but of course you'd rather be in first place. But like I said we don't have the speed; I think we're missing the downforce in the middle sector a bit, so we'll see what we can do tomorrow."

Raikkonen is also unsure if he has the race pace to challenge for victory due to the unpredictable nature of the Pirelli tyres.

"At least we have a pretty good enough starting place but is it going to be enough for our speed tomorrow? I don't know. Every day seems to be different this year' sometimes it goes your way and sometimes not. We can only try to do our best and hopefully we have speed enough to challenge for the win."

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