• Japanese Grand Prix - Qualifying

Raikkonen admits to qualifying mistakes

ESPN Staff
October 12, 2013 « Mercedes feels 'awesome' - Hamilton | Grosjean praises overnight Lotus changes »
Kimi Raikkonen: "I think we could have done a better job today" © Sutton Images
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Kimi Raikkonen said a couple of small mistakes on his final qualifying lap resulted in his ninth place starting position on the Japanese Grand Prix grid.

Raikkonen has failed to qualify any higher than ninth at the last four races, but although he admitted to making mistakes, he said the raw pace of the car is better at Suzuka.

"I think we could have done a better job today," he said. "But I'm pretty happy with the car today and it was just a couple of small mistakes that cost us time. Comparing to the previous races I can drive the car more or less how I want now, there's still a bit too much understeer and that can be improved on, but I'm more happy now.

Romain Grosjean has now out-qualified Raikkonen at the last three races, but when asked if he had noticed a significant improvement in his Lotus team-mate, the Finn said he still had the edge where it counts.

"We haven't had a very good qualifying lately, but I still think I'm up there in the races and that's only what counts in the end. Obviously I want to qualify better, but in the end this wasn't a disaster like before. Sure, we start in the same position but the pace was much better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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