Kimi Raikkonen continued to complain about McLaren’s lack of pace on Sunday, after finishing fourth in the European Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old Finn wanted a podium finish in front of Mercedes-Benz’ home fans, but was unable to make an impression on the leading Ferraris and Renaults after starting fifth on the grid.
Raikkonen now lies 21 points behind Renault’s championship leader Fernando Alonso.
He has only taken one podium finish so far this season and missed out on another when he was unable to pass Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa.
”All the time we were a bit too slow and although we were ahead of the rest, we were never quick enough for the podium,” said Raikkonen.
”The car was just too slow — I was driving as fast as I could, and when I got past [Honda driver Jenson] Button I tried to catch the rest, but it was not enough.
”The performance of the car was not as I would have liked, but we are closer to the leaders.”
McLaren’s form is unlikely to find favour with Raikkonen, who is expected to choose soon between staying at the British team or moving to Ferrari for 2007.
He complained after Friday’s free practice sessions about a lack of balance from his car — which was rectified to some extent in time for the race.
His Colombian team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, completed a miserable weekend for McLaren when he retired on lap 54 with an engine failure. – Sapa-AFP