Kimi Raikkonen has admitted that he is now out of the race for the 2012 F1 title despite still having a mathematical chance of lifting the crown.
The Finn sits third in the standings despite the fact he has yet to win a race this season, with six podium finishes and points in every race bar one instead keeping him in contention.
A seventh place finish in India last weekend – the first time Raikkonen has finished outside the top six since the Canadian Grand Prix back in June – means he is now 67 points away from top spot with just 75 remaining, and the 2007 title winner admitted the result had ended his title challenge.
“I had a very good car there, but I just couldn't do anything with it as I was not able to pass on the straight,” the Lotus man said of the Indian race. “It was quite disappointing but that's how it goes. We put ourselves in that position on Saturday with the set-up we chose for qualifying and we paid the price. We had the speed but not in the right place and when you are behind someone there's not much you can do.
“I really thought we had a car that meant we could fight for a podium as our lap times were good, but the mistake we made on Saturday took all the chances out. The drivers' championship battle is pretty much gone for me I think, but hopefully in the next race we can have the speed to be able to take more championship points.”
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