Formula 1 News

Kimi Raikkonen apologises for Sutil incident 

2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, after a disastrous performance in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, has apologised to Force India’s driver Adrian Sutil for having forced him to retire from the race. The Finn, while braking at the tunnel’s exit, lost control of his F2008 and hit the German’s VJM01 on the back just a few laps from the end. At the time Sutil was fourth in perhaps, the best race of his F1 career. The damage however was considerable and the German had to retire.

“Basically I just think my brakes were a bit too cold and I locked the rear,” explained the Finn. “I nearly lost the car but unfortunately I hit Sutil, and it is sad for Force India because they are not very often in the position to finish in the points.”

“So, I feel a bit sorry for Adrian, but I could not do anything. I tried to slow down but there was nowhere to go and nowhere to slow down and I lost fifth place. I said I am sorry for him and his team because probably they are not going to be often in the position to score a fourth position. Plus it was in Monaco. So it was harder for him than for me, but it was a racing incident and I could not go anywhere. There wasn’t much space and I could not slow down.”

“It was just a racing incident. I just locked the rear brakes on the bump and you cannot really slow the car after that. There was nowhere to go, and not enough space to try and avoid him,” added Raikkonen.