Raikkonen excluded from qualifying

After a strong qualifying performance of fifth fastest at Yas Marina for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen and Lotus F1 Team have it all to do in the race after a post-session exclusion from the qualifying results.

Kimi’s car failed the ‘asymmetric LHS front floor deflection test’ - Article 3.17.5 with the car’s forward floor moving more than the test permits. The reason for the movement? A part which prevents the floor from moving broke after Kimi left the circuit at Turn 3 during qualifying.

Unfortunately, the departure from the track limits was not deemed an accident by the Stewards meaning that Kimi was excluded from qualifying. He is allowed to start - and score points in – tomorrow’s race.

“The team respects the Stewards’ decision and will do everything in its power to ensure Kimi and the team gets the best result possible after starting from the back of the grid in The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” said Team Principal, Eric Boullier. “No advantage was sought or gained in the incident and the relevant part has been replaced.

“We’ve seen what Kimi can do to work through the field when he needs to and we are going all out for the strongest result possible.”