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 on course for a career-best result in Formula One's most prestigious race when his Force India car 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."

In only his second season the 25-year-old Sutil had driven an impressive race in the treacherous conditions caused by Monaco's changeable weather.

Starting 19th, his team had filled his car up to the brim with fuel, taking advantage of his lowly grid position to employ the most advantageous strategy at Monaco.

He moved up the field as others pitted in front of him while driving with admirable consistency and strong pace.

He was in fourth place on merit, and comfortably clear of Raikkonen, when a late safety car period closed up the field.

A lap after the re-start, Raikkonen almost lost control of his car while braking for the chicane.

And as he fought to control it, the Finn cannoned into the back of the blameless Sutil.

"It's really a shame as we were really close [to the finish]," Sutil said.

"But Kimi destroyed my whole race and the best of my career and I can't really say anything about it.

"I did fastest laps and I was really doing good and it's just so disappointing that in my last three laps all my work was over.

"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."