Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene has suggested that Sebastian Vettel cost himself a podium finish by making mistakes during the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The German started the race from second on the grid, but errors under braking played a part as Vettel finished fifth in Sakhir.

However, Arrivabene has claimed that Vettel's mistakes were the difference between him and teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

He is quoted by F1i as saying: "We had a clear strategy for the two drivers and then Seb made two little mistakes. The big one was at the beginning so we were obliged to change the strategy for Seb. Kimi, we told to follow our strategy.

"At a certain point he was not really convinced and we said 'no, we stay as we are'. And he was brave enough and disciplined enough to follow. It was a good result.

"Regarding Seb, I have to say he made two big mistakes but we don't have to forget what he has done up to now. He won one race and two podiums so sometimes it happens. We are humans, thank God and that is the beauty of the sport. So we can continue our development and that's it."

Raikkonen finished in second place, behind world champion Lewis Hamilton, who picked up his third win in four races this season.