'F**k-up' spin denied Raikkonen Baku pole

Kimi Raikkonen says he had all the speed to secure pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, only for a costly last-corner "f**k-up" to leave him sixth on the grid in Baku. Raikkonen also made a string of errors in Q2, which will force him to start on ultrasoft tyres with the five cars ahead of him perhaps looking to execute one-stop strategies by starting on supersofts.

The Finn looked to have atoned for his scratchy second session as he stormed around the Baku City Circuit in pursuit of team-mate Sebastian Vettel's leading time.

However, a big moment out of turn 16 left Raikkonen focusing on keeping his car out of the wall and cost him vital speed on the long run to the finish line.

Raikkonen will need to make the extra grip in his purple-walled tyres count early on Sunday, although he has not made up a place off the line in a race since 2016.

POLE number 216 for the Scuderia, #Seb5 P1 and #Kimi7 P6 great team work! #AzerbaijanGP #Quali #ForzaFerrari pic.twitter.com/ZZbbQzaWou — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) April 28, 2018

"I had all the speed there but just got sideways on the exit of the last corner so lost all the speed for the straight," Raikkonen told Sky Sports.

"Without the mistake I would have been in a much better position but we will see what happens [tomorrow]."

He added: "Obviously it was a f**k-up," he said. "A mistake. It cost us quite a few places so not the greatest end.

"Right now I'm disappointed with what happened today. I've been a few times disappointed. This is a different story and today, what can you do?

"I can only look in the mirror. It's painful."

Raikkonen had started the previous three races on the front grid, and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene hopes the veteran can take advantage of some typical Baku madness on race day.

"It's a pity for Kimi as because until the last corner he could have been on pole," Arrivabene said.

"This is racing and I hope next time he can do better. It's a good fight."