Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen,returning to Formula One after two years away,failed to get through the first phase of qualifying for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Saturday.
The Finn,who won from pole position for Ferrari at Albert Park in 2007,lost control of his Lotus on a corner on his final flying lap and the detour onto the trackside grass cost him a place in the last 17 to contest the second round of qualifying.
Despite the promising pace shown by the Lotus in pre-season testing,Raikkonen will line up in 18th place on the ninth row of the grid for Sunday’s race,barring any penalties for other drivers.
The 32-year-old former Sauber,McLaren and Ferrari driver,who won the world title in 2007,also suffered the ignomy of being outqualified by his inexperienced French team mate Romain Grosjean.