Italian GP: Raikkonen Questions Ferrari Fans' Conduct For Booing Hamilton, Bottas

Kimi Raikkonen hit back at the conduct of the Ferrari fans at the Italian Grand Prix for their behavior towards Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas after the race.

It is no secret the race in Monza has a very partisan crowd with the majority of them there to support the home team — Ferrari. The Tifosi, as the Italian team’s supporters are known, are very passionate and do not take kindly when a red car does not cross the finish line first.

This year it was more difficult to accept as Ferrari had come into the race as the favorites and after qualifying had locked out the front row — the first time since 2000. However, the race did not turn out in their favor as Sebastian Vettel finished fourth and Raikkonen in second.

Vettel, who was expected to win, spun out of contention on the opening lap after collision with Hamilton, who went on to win the race, while Raikkonen, who led the way for most of the race had to settle for second after tire troubles saw him being overtaken by the Briton.

The British racer was booed throughout the weekend as he is battling for the title against Ferrari’s Vettel and that continued after he won the race. But Bottas, who was not targeted during qualifying, was subject to boos on the podium after he played a major role in slowing down Raikkonen during the race and putting him in Hamilton’s clutches.

Hamilton remained unfazed after the race and admitted he had channeled all the negative energy into positive vibes during the course of the Grand Prix weekend. Raikkonen, meanwhile, was a little unforgiving and made it clear jeering another driver does not have a place in the sport.

The Finn admitted it will be difficult to stop but called for the fans to be more understanding. It was not the first time it occurred as it also happened in Silverstone where Vettel was booed after he won in Hamilton’s home country.

It has also happened in previous seasons where the drivers have been booed at different race tracks. The Dutch were not particularly kind to Vettel during the German GP when he crashed out of the race lead.

“I think everybody has the right to do what they feel like but I don’t think it’s very nice,” Raikkonen said after the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, as quoted on Crash.net. “I don’t think it should happen but obviously it’s not my decision. It happens and that’s how life is but it’s not very nice.”

The Ferrari supporters have not seen a red car cross the chequered flag first since Fernando Alonso won the race in 2010. Mercedes have been dominant having won every race since the 2014 season.