Raikkonen: Starting US GP on clean side of grid 'makes quite a big difference'

Kimi Raikkonen is confident of gaining an advantage by starting Sunday's United States Grand Prix from the clean side of the grid despite struggling to P5 in Formula 1 qualifying at the Circuit of The Americas.

Raikkonen slipped back to fifth in the closing stages of Q3 after struggling with his final flying lap, finishing three places behind Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel.

The Finn said he struggled to find enough space on-track during qualifying, preventing him from hooking up a perfect lap as he would have liked.

"It was a bit tricky. I had some decent laps but I never really had good places," Raikkonen said.

"Some laps places were OK, others I struggled to get them right, losing lap time. It was tricky to put one decent lap together.

"It was not too bad, but for sure we try to pull everything as it should be, it would be a bit better. But it is what it is"

Raikkonen is happy to gain an advantage by starting on the clean side of the grid for the uphill run to Turn 1 at COTA, saying it traditionally proves crucial at lights out.

"I think to be honest, I think fifth place, in here, it makes quite a big difference what side you're on, at least usually," Raikkonen said.