Veteran Kimi Raikkonen takes the blame for first lap clash that almost eliminated both Alfa Romeos.

It was hard not to think of the 'should've gone to Specsavers advertisement' when Kimi Raikkonen tagged the left-rear of Antonio Giovinazzi's car at the start of the second lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix.

While the Italian's car was unscathed, the Finn was not so lucky, damaging his front wing, which he subsequently ran over, leaving the 2007 world champion no choice but to park up, thereby bringing out the safety car.

"Basically it was my mistake," Raikkonen told Sky Sports, "I was checking something on the steering wheel, changing a switch that I got wrong coming out of the last corner. So I had to change it again and then I just drove into him, so clearly my mistake."

"I didn't speak with Kimi yet," said Giovinazzi at race end, "but the team told me that he was changing something on the steering wheel but it is OK.

"Luckily we had no puncture," he added, "and after that it was a clear race from my side."

Eventually finishing 12th, behind Carlos Sainz, the Italian admitted: "I had some fun with Fernando at the beginning and some fun with Sebastian at the end.

"We started P12 and today we were faster than the Aston Martins but slower than the Alpines so it was not enough to get into the top 10.

"I think we are at a point that is better than last year," he insisted, "but still not really in the top 10. So when it is like this, that nobody stops in front, it is difficult to score points."

Indeed, Raikkonen was the sole retirement of the afternoon.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Portimao, here.