F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen insists that he is not ready to give up on his 2008 title dream, and is looking to break out of his current malaise at one of his favourite circuits.
No doubt buoyed by Ferrari's claim that it will continue to support his bid for back-to-back Formula One world titles, Kimi Raikkonen insists that he is from giving up on 2008.
The Finn has been criticised for some lacklustre performances through the heart of the season, even though his results kept him in the hunt for the championship as the series reached the first of two all-new venues, in Valencia, at the weekend. Again, however, the Finn appeared below par - a problem highlighted by team-mate Felipe Massa's dominance of qualifying and the race - but, this time, there was to be no silver lining and useful points as his Ferrari engine gave up the ghost twelve laps from home.
Raikkonen, who has dropped 13 points off Lewis Hamilton's championship lead, admits to not having been on top of his game in recent races, but also maintained that there had been some factors affecting his performance that were beyond his control.
"I went to Spain with a good feeling, because it's always great to have a race in a new place and, on Friday, it went well for me," he reflected, "However, on Saturday, temperatures were lower and I had problems in qualifying. We should have been much more aggressive.
"There has been a lot of talk about my problems in qualifying, but the truth is, that in a couple of races - at Hungary and Germany - I made some mistakes and had to start from the sixth position. At Valencia, I missed the third position by a whisker and had to start from the dirty side of the track - which was a huge disadvantage.
"I couldn't pass the cars in front of me, while Heikki [Kovalainen] had much better grip and overtook me. From that moment on, with the leaders pulling away at one second per lap, I was racing for fourth place."
Despite hoping to gain places via strategy, the world champion's race was further compromised when he made another error during his second stop.
"When you get stuck in traffic on a track like that, there's hardly anything you can do, you just wait for the pit-stop," he confirmed, "Heikki and I came into the pit at the same time, but then I made a mistake and left too early. Unfortunately, Pietro Tempini was hit by the car and hurt himself, so not only could I not overtake to gain fourth position, but I even fell back on sixth."
Having dropped behind Toyota's Jarno Trulli as a result of the delay, things then got worse for the Finn.
"As things went, [sixth] would have meant at least three points, but then the engine blew without any warning," he sighed, "I came out of the last corner and felt that something was wrong. Then smoke came out of the back of the car.
"We knew that there might be a problem of this kind, after what had happened to Felipe at Hungary, but it's still a shame what happened in Valencia. It seems as if, this year, the street circuits don't work out for me. In four races, I've only got one point, at Melbourne, in a race where I didn't even finish due to an engine failure. Then there was the accident with [Adrian] Sutil at Monaco and the rear-end collision by [Lewis] Hamilton at the exit of the pit-lane in Montreal....."
With fans and experts alike suggesting that his desire has dimmed and now is perhaps the time for Ferrari to can his pursuit of a second world title in favour of supporting Massa as its rival to Hamilton and McLaren, Raikkonen is quick to point out that he is as determined as ever to put things right in the remaining six races of the season.
"It's useless to cry over spilt milk," he insisted, "What happened, happened and now we have to look ahead.
"This week I'll be at Monza for a test day and, next week, we'll go to Spa. I love this track - I'd like to race there all the year round. It's the best of the all the track and I hope that I'll have a car that works the way I want. I'll give it all to win again. If someone has doubts as far as my motivation is concerned, go ahead, but I want to win - more than ever!"
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sagittarius1958-- alrighty then enough said. Time will tell.
vinnydawg67... you got me all wrong, i don't hate the kid considering i don't know him (nor care to, to be honest)... i just don't like his arrogant attitude (and please don't call it confidence, his goes beyond that)... he has large boots to fill before he can compare himself to legends... fine, he's a good driver, a natural, whatever else you'd like to call him... but in the end, only time will tell, right??
It's just you sagittarius1958
I could list a few examples, but you would probably just counter or dismiss them as a cheat or use some other hate inspired reasoning.
Lewis HAMILTON!
just curious... is it me, or does hamilton not do all that well when he has to play catch-up?? and i'm not talking only about this race, where he was "supposedly" uncertain about racing... yes, i said "supposedly" because with hamilton and mclaren, you never know what's true and what's smoke and mirrors...
thanks, vinnydawg67 --- i couldn't have said it better myself, there is such a huge element of the unknown in this sport that no one driver, especially at the moment, should be thinking they've got this one all wrapped up... i hope no one has actually cleared any space at home for this particular trophy, it doesn't have anyone's name written on it, yet...
you're right, kirstielungard... fair weather friends/fans really get on my nerves, too... it's so easy to criticize and to analyze and start critiques with woulda, shoulda, coulda... what a load... drop it people, either you support the driver, or you support only a winner...
hey, gosport52... you might like to rethink your opinion... kimi admitted he made a mistake and apologized sincerely for it... on the other hand, hamilton's comment was something along the lines of "if" he ruined kimi's race... get a grip, would you, gosport52... by the way, maybe you can answer the question --- hamilton, who??
Kimi will show them all, he still has a better chance at winning his 2nd driver's championship now as compared to last year. He is a winner!!!
I wouldn't count Kimi out there's just too much experience. Didn't he come back from a 17 point deficit last year. Sure he had help, but who's to say things won't go tits up for McLaren later. With Spa and Singapore coming up, and the potential for bad weather, I think Ferrari is going to need Kimi to take over because I have my doubts about Massa's skills in the wet without traction control.
I still give Kimi my full support. I don't really understand why people say he isn't motivated. We all know Kimi likes to keep himself to himself, and doesn't feel the need to speak to the media all the time, saying that he will win it. People who are willing to give up on Kimi when they say they "support" him really get on my nerves. Come on Kimi, we know you can do it!
I am still a huge Kimi fan but you do get the feeling Massa has the edge at the moment, I would love to see him turn his season around and start winning again but if he cant win at Spa then I am afraid it is pretty much over for him in terms of the championship as Ferrari must then back Massa.
During Saturday's qualifying, Kimi's Car had a heavier fuel load than Felipe's Car, thats why he pitted four laps later than Felipe.
Had he been lighter, he also could have made Pole and streaked away like Felipe.
Kimi is having a run of bad luck, as so often happens in Formula One, but he is not done for yet.
Felipe must be patient, as his time to take the Championship will one day arrive.
i agree with kimi when he said "If someone has doubts as far as my motivation is concerned, go ahead, but I want to win - more than ever!".i'm sure kimi is more motivated now than before.i'm also sure that ferrari will solve their reliability problem and give a good car for the next race which is kimi's favourite track.kimi will get a fresh new engine for the next race and i'm feel confident kimi can still defend his title.kimi is still worth as a world champion!!
Kimi definitely will defend his title,
even ferrari still support him 100%
therefore massa greater than him at this moment.
Now what did Kimi say about people who have accidents in the pit lane? Sometimes it's better to keep quiet.
Kimi will now work his magic, along with Ferrari's magic. Get outta the way, losers, complainers, whiners and blamers.
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