Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Nico Hulkenberg believes Ferrari Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen should have given him more room in the late-Mexican Grand Prix overtaking move that led to his spin.

Force India's Hulkenberg came under attack from Raikkonen late in the race, as he sought to defend sixth place on medium tyres 31 laps older than the Finn's.

Mexican Grand Prix driver ratings



Raikkonen ultimately made a move around the outside at Turn 4 with five laps to go, with Hulkenberg spinning as he took evasive action and dropping to finish seventh.

"It was a shame what Kimi did at the end," Hulkenberg said.

"I was on old worn tyres, and obviously he had much fresher tyres and a car advantage.

"I tried to hang on to it, but no chance. It could've have been an accident, where I could've ran into him and we both sustain substantial damage.

"I was obviously defending, braking on the inside on the dirty part [of the track] on very old, worn tyres, absolutely on the limit.

"He comes around the outside on fresh boots and just turns in on me.

"I'm like, 'dude, where do you expect me to go?' I can't just disappear in the air.

"So he could've given more room. It was frustrating, anyway, to be stuck there."

Raikkonen felt his move was legitimate and that the Renault-bound Hulkenberg had plenty of space.

"I tried quite a few times [to pass], but we had to back off for a while and then I went again," said Raikkonen.

"In the end we had enough grip compared to him. I had a chance, I don't really know if we touched or not.

"I saw he was very close, I tried to keep it fair and I think there was enough space for both.

"I saw when he spun, but I didn't really feel a touch. I think it was more or less OK, racing-wise."

Raikkonen's Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene rated the pass as "unbelievable. In my opinion it was class, pure class".

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley felt it was "a strong move", but not over the top.

"Had [Hulkenberg] not pulled out of it, it could've been a lot worse for both of them," Fernley told Autosport.

"I like the idea we're racing, so I don't think it was too strong.

"I think Nico tried to do damage limitation with that."