Sunday September 15th, 2002

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen rued a lost opportunity at today's Italian Grand Prix after retiring when he looked set to score a podium finish.

"I got in front of Eddie Irvine at the start and after that it was a matter of staying on the track," said Raikkonen, who was running in fourth place until his Mercedes engine blew on lap 30.

"If I had been able to finish the race, I would have been third today, but it's one of those things out of my control, and I'm already looking forward to the last two races of the season."

The Woking-based squad had a grim day, David Coulthard running at the back of the field after pitting at the end of the first lap for a new nose cone. The Scot worked his way back up through the field, but missed out on a point-scoring finish after crossing the line in seventh place.

"Not the ideal way to end the European season, but onwards and upwards," said the Scot. "After the start at the first chicane I ran into the back of Kimi as he slowed to avoid a car in front of him, and I wasn't quick enough to react.

"As a result I had to go into the pits and get a new nose and then spent the rest of the race catching up. I was very careful to let the leaders through when I was lapped which lost me time and in hindsight that probably cost us a point."

Published at 14:50:48 GMT

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