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Kimi Raikkonen says he expected to endure a difficult 2014 Formula 1 season after rejoining Ferrari from Lotus.

The Finn failed to finish on the podium for the first time since his debut F1 campaign in 2001, and his 12th place in the championship was the lowest finish of his career.

Kimi Raikkonen's terrible year analysed

Raikkonen, a race-winner with Lotus in 2012 and '13, said it was no surprise to him that he faced a tough adjustment period back at Ferrari after four years away.

"Obviously with the new team I expected it to be difficult because of how things work," said Raikkonen, who will work with a different race engineer in 2015.

"If the car doesn't suit you, and [I've had] similar situations before with Ferrari, it's not easy to change things when certain things are not right for you.

"Over the year they have a clear plan what we have to improve to get back where Ferrari should be.

"I feel all the areas are going to make a big, big improvement.

"It's unfortunate we've had this kind of year because it's not good for me, Ferrari or fans of Ferrari, but that's part of the game.

"It's not the first time I've had difficulties - you just have to take the good out of them and make sure it does not happen for the future."

The 2007 world champion said the bad season on his side was less important as the Ferrari had not been quick enough to fight for the title anyway.

"I have had difficult seasons before - it doesn't matter, it is what it is," he added.

"When you're not fighting for the championship it makes no difference, it was just overall difficult all the time."