Raikkonen predicts “different story” in Monaco GP qualifying 

Kimi Raikkonen doubts Red Bull’s impressive Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix practice pace is definitive and reckons it could be a different story come qualifying on Saturday. 

Red Bull dominated proceedings as Daniel Ricciardo set a new track record around Monaco en route to setting the fastest time in both practice sessions in the principality on Thursday.

Ferrari only managed to get within 0.5s of Red Bull’s pace with Raikkonen finishing fifth in both FP1 and FP2. But the Finn insists he is not worried by the gap to Red Bull and was quick to point out that practice has rarely reflected how the qualifying pecking order has ended up this season. 

When asked if he feels Ferrari can challenge Red Bull in qualyfing, Raikkonen replied: “Let’s see. I mean, it’s difficult to say, some cars have been very quick on Fridays and then it’s a different story on Saturdays. Let’s wait and see for both.

“I think it was pretty normal for here. It’s always quite tricky to start with, in this track, and we tried many different things. We managed to stay out of any trouble, and did more or less what we were planning, so it was OK.”

Raikkonen admitted Ferrari still has some work to do to get the best out of Pirelli’s fastest-ever F1 tyre compound - the Hypersoft - which made its grand prix weekend debut in Monte Carlo on Thursday. 

“It’s a bit hard to say until we go through everything we have in the date. We tried different things and, for sure, there are things to improve, but it’s like in any kind of practice. It was not too bad, we managed to stay out of trouble and the feeling was not too bad. But, for sure, we can improve, so we’ll see.”