Vettel, Raikkonen revel in 'very, very close' tussle

Ferrari team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen say they both took satisfaction from their mid-race battle in the Russian Grand Prix despite coming close to contact whilst disputing third.

A fast start from Raikkonen saw him get the jump on Vettel at the start of the race, but the German would get back onto his tail after the first safety car before attempting to pass with a bold attempt on the drag up to the turn two right-hander.

However, with Raikkonen forcing him to a tight inside line, the Finn would force his team-mate to back out through to the corner to avoid a clash as they got to within a few inches of one another.

Vettel would go on to successfully complete his move further around the lap, progressing up the order and spurring him onto an eventual second place finish. Despite the intensity of the inter-team battle, Vettel says he took enjoyment from it, even if he admits it got 'very, very close'.

"I think we both enjoyed [it]. "Obviously I came out in front so enjoyed a little bit more than him but I think it would have been the wrong thing to do, to do on the radio and just take away the fight and the excitement from us.

"It was already close at the first part in the opening laps. I tried it around the outside and it didn't work into Turn One. Then I tried to pace myself a bit, then we had another Safety Car and then I knew the restart could be a good option and this time I tried it around the inside but it was very, very close. He was fair, just giving me enough room to survive, so it was a good battle."

Raikkonen - who later collided with Valtteri Bottas on the final lap as they disputed third place - was similarly forgiving of Vettel in their tussle.

"It was OK [to fight with Vettel] - on both restarts I just didn't have the speed in a straight line to overtake and the Williams was very fast. He got past me fair enough and then I was following him."