Thursday, June 5, 2008

RAIKKONEN LEAVES BEHIND MONACO BLOW

RAIKKONEN LEAVES BEHIND MONACO BLOW

Raikkonen - looking to bounce back.

Kimi Raikkonen is refusing to panic despite still reflecting on his Monaco Grand Prix misery as "a staggering blow."

Raikkonen went into the race with a seven-point lead in the drivers' championship, but came out of it trailing Lewis Hamilton by three after failing to score for the first time this season.

Although the reigning world champion started from second on the grid behind team-mate Felipe Massa, the Finn came home ninth after crashing into the back of Force India's Adrian Sutil late on.

Raikkonen has since blamed and questioned a surprising lack of grip on the damp, slippery streets of Monte Carlo for his demise.

However, in fairness, it appeared it was just a bad day at the office for Raikkonen who finds himself in a four-way battle for the title heading into Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

"Monaco has been left behind; it was a staggering blow, but there is nothing we can do about it," assessed the 28-year-old.

"I did not at all like finishing ninth, and so out of the points for the first time this season.

"We can't have another race like that because the fight for the championship is extremely fierce.

"I said at the beginning of the season that I expect the title to be won at the last moment.

"A third of the season has passed and we have 35 points, lying in second place, which is more or less what I expected.

"Nothing has been won, and nothing lost.

"There is no point in panicking after the race in Monaco because compared to last year the situation is much better.

"I won't change anything in my approach for the upcoming weekend - the designated target is to win, and we will give our best."

Massa was forced to settle for third place after starting on pole, and is now within a point of Raikkonen and four off Hamilton, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica two behind.

"It's clear we are up against two very strong opponents in McLaren and BMW, even if the latter has not actually won a race yet," added Massa.

"It's all getting very close and exciting and shows you need to pick up points in every race.

"So whilst the six points we got in Monaco was not enough, it's not bad, and the fight for both championships is still very open."

The Brazilian is convinced he and Ferrari can do well on a track where they have not won since 2004 when Michael Schumacher scored a hat-trick of successive victories.

Massa, though, still recalls last season's race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when he was black flagged for exiting the pit lane under a red light.

"It was not a nice feeling leaving Canada after that," remarked Massa.

"But we can be optimistic about turning this event, which has not gone too well for us in the past, into a successful weekend."



  • RAIKKONEN: FERRARI BETTER EQUIPPED
  • MASSA MAKING MOST OF MONACO
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