Spaniard Fernando Alonso managed to take fourth place around the streets of Monaco, but Scuderia Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen endured a frustrating race that started so well but ended with the Finn finishing outside the points.
Alonso struggled with a loss of power during the race but still managed to finish fourth, the highest the Spaniard believed he could have got with Mercedes and Red Bull ahead of him.
“Finishing just off the podium today was a good result, especially after a difficult start and the various incidents during the race,” said Alonso. “At the start, something in the motor didn’t work, but even if I’d had full power, there was no room to overtake. The three cars ahead of me deserved to be there as they were really uncatchable.
“I am pleased with fourth place, because we were able to manage a race in which you had to always maintain the highest level of concentration as there were plenty of tense moments. Our pace was good and that means that, bit-by-bit, we are improving. Sure, the gap to the leaders is still significant, because like us, they are still moving forward on the development front. Therefore we must always try to do better, starting with the next race in Canada.”
For Raikkonen, it was a case of what might have been. He made an excellent start to get into fourth ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, which soon became third when Sebastian Vettel retired. However during the second safety car period, the Marussia of Max Chilton hit him while the Briton attempted to un-lap himself, and Raikkonen was forced into the pits with a puncture. He later had to return to the pits after attempting a move on the McLaren of Kevin Magnussen at the hairpin, and ultimately a promising day ended with a twelfth place finish and no points.
“This was a very unlucky day for me, a real shame after getting a good start and managing to move up to third place,” said Raikkonen. “The car was handling well and had a good pace. Unfortunately, in a Safety Car period, my car was hit by Chilton’s Marussia and I had to make an unscheduled stop as my right rear tyre was damaged and that meant the end of any chance of getting a good result.
“I am sorry I still haven’t managed to get a good result because we are working very hard. We know there is a lot to do as our rivals are still a long way ahead, but I am sure that if we continue down this path the results will come, maybe with a bit more luck.”
Technical Director Pat Fry admitted Monaco was not lucky for the team, especially for Raikkonen who he feels should have finished on the podium. He also feels the team are still behind Mercedes and Red Bull in the pecking order, and knows the team will be looking into ways to try and bridge the gap between them and Ferrari.
“Today in Monaco, luck was not on our side, especially in Kimi’s case,” said Fry. “Mercedes and Red Bull showed they have a greater potential than we do, but thanks to a really good start, I think that Kimi, who was third at the first corner, could have finished on the podium. Unfortunately, during the Safety Car period, his F14 T was hit by a Marussia and that meant he had to make two stops in the space of two laps, effectively ruining his race.
“Fernando also got away well, but a few moments later and for all of the first sector, his car suffered a temporary drop in power. Fortunately, he managed not to lose too many places and after that, he ran a rather solitary race. We start work again tomorrow in Maranello, looking at our weak points: we are sure we can improve and now we must prove those words with facts.”
