Kimi Raikkonen denies being Ferrari 'number 2'
- Published on 27 Apr 2018 10:08
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Kimi Raikkonen has denied he is obviously the 'number 2' driver at Ferrari. Although the Finn has performed strongly in 2018, many believe Ferrari has clearly favoured Sebastian Vettel in race strategy.
"I don't comment on that. As far as I know, I have 100pc the same opportunities," Raikkonen told Finland's Ilta Sanomat newspaper in Baku. "I'm here to do my best, and I want to fight as hard as I can. I would not be here if I felt that was not possible," he added.
Raikkonen also played down reports he could be set to lose his seat altogether, amid rumours Ferrari and Daniel Ricciardo are in talks."It's the same every year for as long as I can remember -- maybe for 15 years," he said. "Every year I am out, and if you just keep repeating it, sooner or later you are right. But I don't want to talk about things here." (GMM)
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Replies (4)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Sad. Raikkonen has fallen so far. Even though he is actually showing this year that he has some speed left, he is no more in equal standing than Felipe Massa or Rubens Barrichello ever were. But I guess he gets the big bucks at Ferrari, he's comfortable as a #2, so for the last 5 years or so... he hasn't wanted to rock the boat.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
What a crock of BS. Fallen so far? Have you not been seeing his performance this year? He's still performing as well as anyone else on the grid. Getting a car that suits him shows he still has what it takes to perform at the top of the timesheets. Just because he doesn't cry and whine when things don't go his way doesn't mean he isn't motivated to win. He knows the internal politics at Ferrari that none of us see, so if he says he wouldn't be there if he didn't have a chance to fight for the title who are we to say anything different? If Vettel doesn't step up his game and Kimi was to pass him in the points later this season, which could very well happen, I'm sure Ferrari will back him as the number 1 driver.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Raikkonen has had 3 good races this year, and probably 40+ mediocre ones since he joined Ferrari. I get it, you're Kimi fan and like his shitck of not saying much. But to suggest his performances at Ferrari have not been absolutely dreadful is to deny reality. I agree he seems to be having a good year, but it's his fifth season at Ferrari and so far he's been a dutiful #2 driver that Rubens Barrichello and Jean Todt would be proud of.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He is performing well in tests, but on race day he is still much weaker than he needs to be. Kimi is still a good driver, but he isnt nearly as good as Ferrari need him to be. Vettel is the kinda driver that can win even with a less optimal car (nowadays), Kimi isnt.