• Singapore Grand Prix

Back pain didn't trouble Raikkonen

ESPN Staff
September 22, 2013 « Alonso relying on 'luck' to win title | Webber punished after hitching lift with Alonso »
Kimi Raikkonen said his back pains were not an issue as he went on to take a podium in the race © Sutton Images
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Kimi Raikkonen played down his back pain as a major factor during Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, but revealed he nearly backed out of qualifying on Saturday because of the issue.

Raikkonen managed to salvage third place after starting from 13th on the grid, despite having to take pain killing injections over the weekend to ease his back. However, he said it did not cause him problems in the race and he was happy to take third.

"I didn't feel it that much in the race," Raikkonen said. "Yesterday was not ideal and I almost didn't drive. We have to be happy enough with finishing third and we can sort the problems for the next race.

"It's not the first time I have had issues with my back and I know I have some work to do over the winter so we will see what we can do. Now after the race it's not 100%, but we have two weeks to rest and get it right. We did the best we could, and could not achieve much more today."

Raikkonen is hoping for better results at the upcoming race, starting with Korea.

"I think the car was pretty good in Korea last year, but my car wasn't very good this weekend because of all the problems. It was not bad in the race but for sure we could have made it a lot better, so I think we can be more competitive in the upcoming races.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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