Lotus has apologized to Kimi Raikkonen for an incorrect strategy call that denied the Finn a likely podium finish in Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Team principal Eric Boullier, who is facing a tug-of-war with Red Bull for the 2007 world champion's services next year, recognized in a preview for this week's German Grand Prix that the team had got it wrong.

"Our strategy was great until the last safety car. We should have called Kimi in to save at least one position and make the podium. Unfortunately we made the wrong call for which we apologized to Kimi and to the team," said Boullier.

"It was pretty obvious with hindsight that we made the wrong call. No team can say they make the correct call on every occasion, whether in race strategy, car design philosophy or any other aspect of the sport," said the Frenchman.

"Kimi was pretty frustrated when he got out of the car which is understandable - we wouldn't want a driver who wasn't frustrated after what happened - but there's no point sitting in the corner sulking; we're focused on getting a good result in Germany."

Reuters

(China Daily 07/04/2013 page23)