Raikkonen: I need a miracle

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Sep 18:40:00 2008

Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen said he needed a miracle to retain his title following a disappointing Italian Grand Prix.

FOOTBALL Raikkonen - 0

With four races left, the Ferrari driver is fourth and 21 points behind McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton after trailing in ninth at a rainswept Monza on Sunday.

The Finn, who won the title last year after making up a 17-point deficit in the final two races, still refused to give up his championship hopes despite three grands prix in a row without a point.

"You don't have to be [Albert] Einstein to understand that this is not the right way to fight for the title," he told Ferrari's website.

"It's not over yet, but now it will take a miracle, like one that makes lightning strike twice."

Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa, who finished sixth at Monza and a place ahead of McLaren's Hamilton, is now just a point behind the Briton overall.

Raikkonen, who signed a new deal with Ferrari until 2010 last week, was still reluctant to commit to helping his team-mate.

"Things are definitely not going my way," he said. "Sometimes it happens, but that won't lower my spirit or my determination.

"I want to try and win again this season. You never know what will happen in a race and you can't make any programs.

"Obviously the team has two goals to reach (the constructors' and drivers' championships) and they will give their best.

"I will give my best... as usual."

Raikkonen hopes the Singapore GP on September 28, F1's first night race, will suit him better after blaming the lack of grip from his tyres in the wet for his problems in Italy.

"It seems as if it is going to rain at every remaining race. We had enough water at Monza already...the atmosphere [at Singapore] will be very exciting and the hot and humid weather might work to our advantage," he added.

Reuters

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  1. Craig, I agree with your comments on Kimi, but Lewis really is something special, he drives a formula 1 car the way it is meant to be driven, aressive, without fear, and with outstanding car control. I do believe there is bias against McLaren,which has cost him points, but accept not everyone agrees with that point of view. He has (and his team) also made some very stupid mistakes which have cost him dearly. Hopefully he will learn from these, he has the potential to be one of the all time greats, but the jury is still out at the moment

    From haywood, on Fri 19 Sep 1:49PM

  2. Kimi needs a slap not a miracle! He needs to wake up and accept the fact he has no chance of winning the title this year and it’s his own fault for not trying hard enough. He should swallow his pathetic ego and pride and get behind Massa. The fact they are not friends shouldn’t make any difference there is to much childishness in this sport nowadays to much money for sub standard drivers. Hamilton is good but he is also very lucky put any other driver in his car and the results would be the same remember he is more adapt with the McLaren as he drove it plenty before he was signed give it to webber,Alonso,vettel or Joe blogs for 6 months and I bet they will do as good a job.

    From donkey, on Fri 19 Sep 1:34PM

  3. So what is wrong with Damocles comment Ukraniansport: I think it valid. Kimmi is not doing so well this season which I don't think is down to him. It could well be the car!

    From yazzer100, on Fri 19 Sep 12:51PM

  4. so very sad that "damocles"" is unable to live up to his text e.mail name /// so continually boring
    should change email name to --"phrygia" __ more in line with abilities

    From ukraniansport@..., on Fri 19 Sep 11:59AM

  5. There may be a problem with the design of his car. They changed the chassis 3 weeks ago to try to improve the trim but to no avail. Don't know if he is driving a long or short wheel based ferrari, but although quick in qualifying ,I think he has a problem with it in race trim. Perhaps he is just accepting that he won't do any better than he is at present & to push it harder will end up having an accident.

    From Tonka, on Fri 19 Sep 11:26AM

  6. Something is seriously missing in Kimi this year, he has lost his spark, and can drift right out of a race, suddenly to come alive for a few laps, then fade away,for whatever reason his passion for driving is not at the level of previous seasons. He doesn't neede a miracle, he just needs to to find last years mojo.

    From haywood, on Fri 19 Sep 3:51AM

  7. Carpo is funny only in his own mind only, I think he has been watching too much Borat and Ali G, and not enough Formula 1. If you want to play at making up rediculous personas, find another site that caters for like-minded nurds, this is for serious F1 fans not sad losers like you!

    From haywood, on Fri 19 Sep 3:43AM

  8. There is still a chance for Kimi - It aint over til the large lady sings as tey say.

    From holmesmolly@..., on Fri 19 Sep 2:27AM

  9. jacko you no frien now you not talk and i not need you or the big eys

    From Bulldog, on Thu 18 Sep 11:57PM

  10. KIMMI HAD ONE LUCKY BREAK THIS WEEK
    §§§§ MASSA PROMISED ---NOT ---- 2B HIS FRIEND

    From jestyn.thyme, on Thu 18 Sep 9:20PM

  11. Kimi will be fighting for valuable construcktor points to keep them away from competitors as well as drivers championship points! You can rest assured that with his new contract in place Kimi will do whatever it takes to help Massa in the Championship fight to the end. If this means letting Massa get around him for points, you can rest assured he will let it happen. Kimi will remember that Massa helped him last year when Massa was in the same position. I have no doubts about it.

    From SFD Loves the Bay Area, on Thu 18 Sep 8:01PM

  12. jacko like lewis wher is you and why no talk no more i alays nice and no say no bad with you no like the big eys one who hate our pepls is youa blak englisman also jacko you com my house an we hav the drinks and all foot an no pay any muny very nice also and white garls like the blak peples bettr an the white boy very nice

    From Bulldog, on Thu 18 Sep 5:10PM

  13. i is englisman like lewis and will stay in englan will no go away is nice here an lots muny with have no work an all an nice home an foot all pay no muny englis nice an good peplesa nd my friens will com an be englismans also and have nice time also in englan very nice

    From Bulldog, on Thu 18 Sep 4:44PM

  14. rounn man of big eyes you no my frien an jacko boy like lewis where is you is you home away and gon

    From Bulldog, on Thu 18 Sep 4:40PM

  15. Apologies Jacko - Last message was meant for Sparrow. I believe this carposhea is a twit with nothing better to do with his time.
    Maybe just ignore him and he will get bored and go away.

    From wellhung, on Thu 18 Sep 4:37PM

  16. Jacko I see you changed your mind about carposhea following his last comment - Did you notice too that he has changed his style from limited/bad english to semi-@#$% without realising it? Grow up carposhea. We are not amused.

    From wellhung, on Thu 18 Sep 4:33PM

  17. I think that carposhea and jbolan are one and the same.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Thu 18 Sep 4:24PM

  18. Jacko - I think this guy is acting the prat - Not convinced at all.

    From Mr Burns, on Thu 18 Sep 4:23PM

  19. little roun man with tha big eys is funny and other boy like lewis and small and with many hairs

    From Bulldog, on Thu 18 Sep 4:04PM

  20. WHO CARES ,,// ITS FAST CARS THAT WIN ,,,,, LITTLE TO DO WITH SEATED DELIVERY BOY

    From jestyn.thyme, on Thu 18 Sep 3:54PM
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