adminFinland’s 2007 world champion made the most of having to make just two pit stops and was pulling away from his rivals, having just set the fastest lap time of the race, when he crossed the line 12.4 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
“It was probably one of my easiest wins,” said the ‘Iceman’, cool as ever after a 20th career win that equalled the tally of retired double champion and compatriot Mika Hakkinen.
Sebastian Vettel, seeking to win his fourth successive world title this year, rounded out the podium in third place for Red Bull after struggling with tyre wear throughout the race.
The 25-year-old German had got away cleanly from pole position but the variety of strategies forced on the teams by the tyres and the pace shown by Red Bull’s rivals ensured this was never going to be a procession.
A few light showers contributed to an intriguing race but never threatened to disfigure it as top drivers engaged in fierce battles around the circuit and the lead changed hands with surprising frequency.
Seven cars led the race at one stage or other but after Raikkonen hit the front for the second time on lap 43, it looked like only mechanical failure would stop him.
“I had a very good car all weekend,” said Raikkonen, the former McLaren and Ferrari driver who made his comeback last season after two years in rallying, on a podium of champions. You just have to get through the early laps in the first race of the season. Near the end, I was still pushing because I knew Fernando was catching up a bit and I thought at some point we would need a little extra if the rain came again.
“We are happy with the win but there’s an awful lot of work to do to win the championship.”
It was the first season-opening win by a team called Lotus since American Mario Andretti won the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix.
Alonso’s Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa finished fourth ahead of 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton who had an encouraging first race for Mercedes after leaving McLaren.
Red Bull’s Mark Webber made a terrible start from the front row, suffering telemetry problems on the grid and losing KERS for the first part of the race, and finished sixth in his 12th attempt to win his home grand prix.
RESULTS
1. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Lotus – Renault 1:30:03.225
2. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Ferrari +00:12.451
3. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) RedBull – Renault 00:22.346
4. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 00:33.577
5. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 00:45.561
6. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull – Renault 00:46.800
7. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India – Mercedes 01:05.068
8. Paul Di Resta (Britain) Force India – Mercedes 01:08.449
9. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 01:21.630
10. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus – Renault 01:22.759
11. Sergio Perez (Mexico) McLaren 01:23.367
12. Jean-Eric Vergne (France) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 01:23.857
13. Esteban Gutierrez (Mexico) Sauber – Ferrari 1 lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams – Renault 1 lap
15. Jules Bianchi (France) Marussia – Cosworth 1 lap
16. Charles Pic (France) Caterham – Renault 2 laps
17. Max Chilton (Britain) Marussia – Cosworth 2 laps
18. Giedo van der Garde (Netherlands) Caterham – Renault 2 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 19 laps
r. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 32 laps – Supersport
r. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Williams – Renault 34 laps
r. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Sauber – Ferrari 58 laps — SuperSport.
Online Reporter