Kimi Raikkonen has stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start and finding the correct set-up from the outset when the European Grand Prix gets underway in Valencia this Friday.

The street circuit is something of an unknown quantity for the drivers, who will be cautious not to go down a blind alley with their set-up as they contend with changing grip levels and unforgiving concrete barriers.

Given his recent poor performances in qualifying – he lined up sixth on the grid in the last two races – Raikkonen has put an onus on getting quickly into the groove in Friday practice and securing a good starting position for Sunday’s grand prix.

“

We have to start well at Valencia, where it’s more important than in other places to drive with continuity from Friday on,”

 Raikkonen told Ferrari’s official website.

“I hope I’ll have a trouble-free weekend to try to set up the car the best way possible, especially for the qualifying lap.

“The qualifying will be extremely important, although I think that there are some possibilities on the track to overtake.”