'Finger trouble' caused Raikkonen retirement.

Kimi Raikkonen's retirement in the German Grand Prix was caused by a leakage of hydraulic fluid from the pressure relief valve, apparently the result of a preparation mistake by a team member.

The retirement was not related to the mechanical problem that caused Juan Pablo Montoya to stop with hydraulic failure in the French GP earlier this month, but nevertheless came as a bitter disappointment to the team, especially as the Colombian showed the speed of the car by charging from last to second after his qualifying crash had consigned him to the back of the grid.

Raikkonen also retired from the lead with a mechanical problem at Imola, was delayed by a tyre valve issue in Malaysia, and has had two grid penalties for engine failures in qualifying at the last two races.

"You're only as strong as your weakest link," admitted team boss Ron Dennis, "That's the essence of teamwork - some mistakes you can recover from, some you can't. This was a weekend of what could have been. It could possibly have been the first one-two of the season.

"Either of the drivers could have won it and, for all of the reasons that are apparent, neither of them did. It's a pretty unsatisfactory performance all round, but there are seven races to go."