Once again, a floodlit race did not do any favours to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, who, just like in the two Singapore Grands Prix, came away empty handed. The season thus ends with the team in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, while the highest Ferrari driver in the Drivers’ classification is Kimi Raikkonen in sixth place.

It was the Finn’s final race for the Scuderia and while he wanted a better outcome here this evening, he also knew that the car just wasn’t up to the job.

“We knew we did not have a car that was competitive here. It was definitely not a good weekend, but I don’t think any of us have anything to reproach ourselves for,” he said. “We did the most we could with the package we hard. At the start, the track was a bit slippery and that cost me a place to Kobayashi, who was very quick today. Then, when the two Brawns were back ahead of me, after their first pit stop, our race was definitely compromised and a points finish became impossible. It’s a shame to end my time with Ferrari with this result, but this year we have never been in a position to fight for the win at every race, as I would have wished.”

Meanwhile, Giancarlo Fisichella, who was also contesting his final race for the Scuderia, was also disappointed with the end result and failing tio secure third for the Maranello based squad in the 2009 constructors championship.....

“I am disappointed that third place got away from us like this, but today our pace was what it was, as can be seen from my team-mate’s twelfth place. I tried all I could, as usual and I feel I drove a good race,” he said. “It was a shame about the drive-through which compromised my second stint. I got a good start and got past Grosjean, who then got ahead of me again, cutting the chicane, but then in his turn, he got by, taking back what I had gained.”

“I am sorry that I wasn’t able to contribute to the team in terms of points and to have not really shown my worth. Unfortunately, the F60 is very difficult to drive, especially in qualifying and starting from the back is always a big penalty. Now the time has come to think of the future: I do not yet know if I will get a race drive with a team, but what is certain is that I will be a Ferrari driver and I am happy about that.”

“It’s disappointing to see third place in the Constructors’ Championship elude us by a single point, but we have to accept the verdict dished out on track. We took a strategic decision regarding the development of the F60 a few months ago and we knew that, as time went by, the road ahead would get ever steeper. All the same, I wish to congratulate the entire team who, despite the difficult situation, continued to keep their concentration up, getting on with their work with determination and tenacity. Now we must continue to work on the design of the new car, because we have a very simple aim: that of getting back to being in the fight for race wins,” said Stefano Domenicali.

“This was Kimi’s last race with us and again today he gave it his all. We are very disappointed that this year, we did not give him a competitive car and I thank him for never having thrown in the towel, in fact, fighting even harder when the situation was at its trickiest. That thanks extends to all our drivers: to Felipe who went through a dramatic moment in Budapest and is recovering quickly to be 100% for the start of next season; to Luca, who accepted the challenge to put himself in the game in a very difficult moment; to Giancarlo who in order to realise his dream of racing for Ferrari, left a team just as it was going through its best part of the season. Again today, he did his utmost right to the final kilometer. I am proud of our drivers, as I am of everyone who works in our team and I am sure that every one of them will know how to learn the right lessons from this season and will be even more motivated to try and redeem themselves immediately.”