Raikkonen confident back problem will not stop him competing in Korean Grand Prix

Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen says he does not believe his back problem will stop him competing in this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix.

The Finn needed a pain-killing injection before qualifying last time out in Singapore after a flare up of his long-standing back problem caused discomfort in final practice.

It is understood that the back issue dates back to his Formula 1 rookie year in 2001 with Sauber when he had a testing accident at Magny Cours.

Reserve river Davide Valsecchi was called up as a precaution in Singapore, but Raikkonen, 33, went on to qualify 13^th and then finish an impressive third in the two-hour race on the bumpy Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Raikkonen, who is fourth in the drivers’ standings, 98 points behind leader Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, is hopeful the two-week break between races will have allowed his back to recover sufficiently so he can race.

“I wouldn't be here if I wasn't going to race,” said Raikkonen. “It would be a bit pointless to come here if I didn't think I was racing, but on Friday we will see. Right now it is okay, but it is always difficult to say until I drive and I see how it is, but I don't think it will be a problem.

“This isn't the first time I've had to deal with it and I'm sure it's not going to be the last. It's something I've had to deal with for a long, long time, and sometimes it gets bad, sometimes not.

“I've been okay every year I've been racing, but sometimes I have to deal with the pain. Obviously with every year you get older you seem to come up with more issues. I'm sure we can deal with those things.”