F1 | Ferrari, Raikkonen: “We thought it would start raining at the start of Q3”

Even more difficult day than expected for Ferrari, which in Suzuka placed Raikkonen in fourth place in qualifying and Vettel even in ninth position. A rather wicked choice by the team to send the two drivers onto the track with Intermediate tires at the start of Q3 when the track was still perfectly passable with the SuperSoft tyres, demonstrating a moment of total confusion on everyone's part. The Finn at least managed to put his SF71H on the second row, but behind Verstappen and more than a second behind Hamilton.

“We faced qualifying in treacherous conditions, it wasn't easy – Raikkonen said. At the start of Q3 we thought it would start raining, which is why we decided to go out with the Intermediates, but it wasn't like that and we got the timing wrong. We immediately returned to the pits to put on the SuperSofts, but at Spoon I hit the wet curb, went wide and lost time. Obviously fourth position isn't the best, but at least we managed to complete a lap despite the mistake. Third place was within our reach. It's a shame, the feeling with the car was getting better and better. Tomorrow will certainly be difficult, but we will do our best."