Podium will ease the pressure, says Raikkonen

MONACO: Formula One champions Ferrari are still some way off winning races again but their first podium finish of the season should ease the pressure, Kimi Raikkonen said on Sunday.

"We need to be happy after a very difficult start to the season," the 2007 world champion said after finishing third in the Monaco Grand Prix behind the Brawns of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa was fourth.

"The people have been working very hard at the factory and here at the circuit, so we improved the car very quickly once we realised we can do something different with the rules," said Raikkonen.