Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen has apologised for wrecking the hopes of a fourth place finish for German Adrian Sutil in yesterday's Monaco Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver was in fifth place when he lost control of his car and hit Sutil's Force India car from behind with just a few laps remaining.

The impact caused serious damage to Sutil's car and eliminated him from the race, leaving him in tears. Raikkonen drove back to the pits for repairs to his car and finished ninth.

Raikkonen said: "I said I am sorry for him and his team because probably they are not going to be often in the position to score a fourth position. Plus it was in Monaco.

"So it was harder for him than for me, but it was a racing incident and I could not go anywhere. There wasn't much space and I could not slow down.

"It was just a racing incident. I just locked the rear brakes on the bump and you cannot really slow the car after that. There was nowhere to go, and not enough space to try and avoid him.

"Basically I just think my brakes were a bit too cold and I locked the rear. I nearly lost the car but unfortunately I hit him, and it is sad for them.

"So, I feel sorry for him, but I could not do anything. I tried to slow down but there was nowhere to go and nowhere to slow down, and I lost fifth place."

But the Force India driver Adrian Sutil refused to criticise Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen for crashing into him and costing him fourth place in the Monaco Grand Prix.The German was set for a career-best result in Formula One's most prestigious race when he was hit by the world champion with six laps to go.

"It was a great race with an incredibly sad ending," Sutil said.

"It's incredible bad luck that Kimi crashed into me. He obviously didn't do it on purpose."

"It's really a shame as we were really close [to the finish],Then Kimi crashed into my rear and destroyed my whole race."

"It was the best race of my whole career and it is really a shame - I can't say any more about it. I am so really disappointed."

"I knew that in the race we had a chance. I knew from my performance last year that I am really strong here and after the first lap in the race I knew I liked the conditions and I was catching cars.

"I took it easy, just to try not to go off or something then when I got the chance I really pushed. I did fastest laps in the race and it was great. I was really doing good.

"It's just so disappointing that in the last few laps all my work was over."

Talking to reporters from Monaco, Sutil said, "Yes, Kimi did apologise to me. After the race he came to me and said `I`m sorry, I`m really sorry.` he was sorry for sure.

"Anyway, it`s racing and incidents like this do happen. It only shows you how the sport can be," Sutil said, philosophically.