Raikkonen blames 'slipstream effect' for crash with Alfa Romeo team-mate

Kimi Raikkonen has blamed the 'slipstream effect' for the collision with team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi that wrecked his Portuguese Grand Prix.

At the start of lap two, Raikkonen retired from the race at Portimão after the front wing of his car made contact with the left-rear tyre of Giovinazzi's C41.

It led to the wing becoming dislodged and wedging itself underneath Raikkonen's car, forcing him into the gravel at turn one and into retirement.

Although accepting the blame for the contact, the Finn explained: "I got caught out by the slipstream and ended up driving into Antonio.

"I couldn’t do much after that, the front wing got stuck under the car and I couldn’t steer. All I could do was go straight into the gravel.

"It’s a disappointment as we looked like we had decent pace. I made a really good start and the race could have been positive. The only upside was that at least Antonio didn’t get any damage and was able to continue.”

Further explaining what unfolded, Raikkonen added: "I was checking something on the steering wheel, changing a switch and I got it wrong. Out of the last corner I had to check it again and just drove into him. Purely my mistake."

Despite the race-ending consequences for Raikkonen, Giovinazzi was able to carry on to finish P12, matching his Saturday qualifying position.

Reflecting on the race, team principal Frédéric Vasseur said: “It was a mixed Sunday for us. On the one hand, we lost one car through contact between team-mates, which is one of the worst things that can happen, in a sporting sense, to a team.

"On the other hand, Antonio did a really good job in the remaining car, keeping behind most of our direct rivals and finishing just outside the points.

"We keep showing how competitive the car can be in the race, but we still miss something to be in the top 10 in normal circumstances.

"Our work doesn’t stop and we will keep pushing to get there consistently.”

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