Kimi Raikkonen surprised with P3 after 'difficult' day

Mirko Stange/Sutton Images

Kimi Raikkonen was surprised to qualify third for the Singapore Grand Prix after enduring a "difficult" day with his Ferrari.

While team-mate Sebastian Vettel took Ferrari's first pole position since the 2012 German Grand Prix, Raikkonen was edged off the front row by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. Raikkonen has been down on Vettel's pace for much of the weekend and he says he was not completely comfortable with the car from the start of practice on Saturday.

Asked how he fancied Ferrari's chances in Sunday's race, the Finn replied: "We will see tomorrow. Obviously with some difficulties yesterday on my side but Seb had a good run yesterday, and hopefully quite a good result for the team today.

"I was not very happy since this morning, for whatever reason, so we are a bit surprised to be in this position after how difficult it felt all day. We have to do a good job tomorrow and hopefully take two cars on podium."

When asked specifically what was wrong, Raikkonen replied: "It has been a difficult day. I was just lacking grip and struggling a bit on braking in turn-in. It is not an ideal position but I think in the end the result is okay given how difficult it has been today.

"I am sure we will find something for tomorrow. It is good for the team and it will be good for the team if we can have a strong race and finish one-two tomorrow. Let's see what happens."