Raikkonen, Ferrari, not 'worried' about poor run of form

  • Published on 28 Oct 2013 14:08
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Ahead of their 2014 reunion, Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen insist they are not worried about one another's worrying run of poor form. Ferrari is ending the 2013 season as arguably only the fourth-quickest team in pitlane, after Red Bull, Mercedes and Raikkonen's current employer, Lotus.

How is that making the Finn feel ahead of his return to Ferrari for 2014? "Good," the inimitable Raikkonen said in India, to the laughter of assembled reporters. "Otherwise I wouldn't have made the decision if I didn't think it was right for myself," he argued.

But if the cool Finn is not worried, perhaps Ferrari is. At recent grands prix, particularly since Raikkonen's Lotus exit was announced, the 33-year-old has been slightly off teammate Romain Grosjean's pace.

"I'm not the slightest bit worried," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, "but of course I have been following him this season. He has already gained our respect based on what he has been doing in his current team," the Italian added. "He is now coming to us, and I look forward to getting to work with him again," said Domenicali, referring to Raikkonen's first Ferrari tenure between 2007 and 2009.

Many in the paddock still find it hard to believe Raikkonen, a former team champion, will be paired at Ferrari with 'number 1' Fernando Alonso next year. That is part of the reason the Alonso-to-McLaren rumours are still alive, but another reason has been Alonso's regular criticism of Ferrari's form this year.

Domenicali, however, said Ferrari can swallow most of Alonso's comments. "To us it's an indication that this era must end," he acknowledged, referring to the fact that the team has not won a title since Raikkonen's in 2007. "I have experienced an era similar to what we see now," Domenicali added, referring to the dominance of Red Bull, "but if you look back, you can also see how quickly things can change." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 572
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 168
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar