Ferrari “had all the tools”

London : Kimi Raikkonen says it was only “small things” that kept Ferrari from being able to win the championship in 2017.

He admitted he had taken too long to get on top of the set-up of his car early in the season.

“I think we started pretty badly the year,” said Raikkonen in yesterday’s FIA press conference, “we were not really where we should have been.”

“The personal feeling on my side, we were not very happy where the set-up was and it took way too long to figure it out. Since that it’s been better but then we had too many DNFs for many different reasons.”

“But I think as a team we’ve come a long way from year to year and also from last year. We made a good step, obviously not enough as we want because as Ferrari we want to win both championships.”

Mercedes clinched the constructors’ championship two races ago and Lewis Hamilton secured the drivers’ title at the last round. Raikkonen said Ferrari had the potential to push them more closely.

“I think we had all the tools this year, we just need to tidy up things and not make mistakes,” he said. “Not have any issues from any side, not from our side as the drivers or from the team side.”

“It’s small things but I think in the end they made a big part this year who won the championship and which way it went.”

“But I think we have all the people, we have the tools, we have a great car with still two races to go,” he added. “Even if the championships are done we try to do the same work we always do and try to win races.”

Raikkonen lies fifth in the drivers’ championship with two races to go. “I think it’s very simple where we are in the championship that’s how good or bad it’s been,” he said.

“It is how it is this year. We need to learn and make better thing next year. This year for sure in many ways could have been better.”