Raikkonen Furious Over Ferrari Pit Strategy in Spain
Kimi Raikkonen held lengthy discussions with Ferrari officials after the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix, unhappy over pit strategy that favoured Fernando Alonso.
Kimi Raikkonen spent hours in talks with Ferrari management after the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix, frustrated by a team strategy that saw Fernando Alonso given priority for pit service despite running behind him on track. The Finnish broadcaster MTV3 reported that Raikkonen was visibly angry after the race, questioning the decision that allowed Alonso to pit first and ultimately finish ahead.
Asked directly whether he now felt like Ferrari's number two driver, Raikkonen replied "no", but his frustration was clear. When questioned by Sky about who made the pit call, he answered "I don't know" and left the interview abruptly. The usually reserved 2007 world champion also asked on the radio immediately after the chequered flag, "Exactly who made this (pitstop) decision?"
Later, Raikkonen played down the incident in German media, saying, "There was not much between the two. In the end it makes no difference. It was a very disappointing result for Ferrari." Still, the post-race debrief stretched long into the evening as both driver and team tried to resolve the fallout from a strategy call that left Raikkonen feeling undermined.
What the strategy row means for Raikkonen's Ferrari future
Raikkonen's public frustration added to speculation about his status within Ferrari, especially as the team faced pressure to improve results. His insistence that he was not a number two driver did little to quell rumours about internal team dynamics. For more on Raikkonen's contract situation at Ferrari, seeRaikkonen Leaves Ferrari 2016 Option in Team’s Hands
