Räikkönen in pain after fuel spillage

Kimi Räikkönen experienced a highly dramatic afternoon in Brazil on Sunday as the Finn recovered from a squeeze onto the grass, an unscheduled pit-stop and a giant fireball at Interlagos. Having almost retired with fuel in his eyes, the 2007 World Champion showed a superb recovery drive to sixth place.Having qualified in the top five on the track where he was crowned World Champion two years ago, Finland's Räikkönen escaped a number of hazards at Interlagos; after being pushed onto the grass by Mark Webber on Lap 1, the leading Ferrari driver then drove over the spilt fuel of compatriot Heikki Kovalainen in the pit lane.

"What happened on the first lap ruined my race," Kimi explained. "First I was hit at the first corner then, when trying to pass Webber I was hit and lost the front wing. At the pit-stop, I ended up with some drops of petrol in my eye, from the fuel line stuck on Kovalainen's car, and then I was engulfed in flames and blinded - I was going to stop but luckily the flames soon went out.

"Even now, my eyes are still burning but I'm alright."

Source: gpupdate