Kimi Raikkonen says he'll be racing for a top-three result in Bahrain as long Lotus are able to get the "upgrades on the car to work properly."
Raikkonen heads to Bahrain just days after an exciting but disappointing Chinese GP in which his two-stop strategy cost him vital places and points.
The former World Rally driver had been running as high as second with 12 laps to go before losing 10 place in just two laps as his tyres reached the end of their rubber. He finished P14.
"It looked the best one for us and it worked for Romain," he said when asked if he was 'frustrated' that his strategy did not work out. "If we had the same information again, we'd probably try the same approach.
"It didn't work, but you don't know these things unless you try them. We will now know better for next time. We were pretty close to finishing on the podium. We didn't. That's racing."
Raikkonen, though, is looking to bounce back with a strong result this weekend in Bahrain, saying the podium could be within reach.
The Sakhir circuit has been a happy hunting ground for him as, out of six races at the track, he has achieved five points-scoring hauls, four of which were courtesy of podium finishes.
"I have had a second and three third places in Bahrain which is okay. It is good to race there," said the Finn.
"We won't know how strong the car will be until we get there. Maybe we will get the upgrades on the car to work properly and we will be able to go faster than in China. Let's see.
"A podium should be possible and I think it has been at all the races we've been at so far. We don't know exactly how good the car will be until we get there, but we don't expect any problems."
