Kimi Raikkonen believes a lesson from his school days will serve him well this weekend as he endures one of the toughest periods of his Formula One career.
Reigning world champion Raikkonen has failed to win any of the last eight grands prix, stretching back to Spain at the end of April.
Raikkonen has notably struggled of late in qualifying, and on his last outing in the European Grand Prix in Valencia, the engine of the Finn's Ferrari blew.
With a third of the season remaining, starting with Sunday's race in Belgium, Raikkonen is third in the standings, 13 points adrift of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and seven behind team-mate Felipe Massa.
Raikkonen is now hoping a return to his favourite track of Spa, where he has won the last three races, will reinvigorate his bid for back-to-back titles.
"This is the one I've been waiting for. Spa is a highlight for me," remarked Raikkonen.
"For me, I only have good memories, and obviously it would be great to win it for the fourth time in a row.
"I have not won for a few months now, and it would help get my championship challenge back on track after the disappointment of the last race.
"Although what has happened before doesn't help me, it doesn't do any harm either.
"Right now I need a positive result. The last race was one to forget as quickly as possible.
"It's never nice to be in the middle of all kinds of negative stories, but it happens.
"It's not the first time in my life, and it won't be the last either. You just have to live with it.
"When I was in school it was never nice to go home with a bad mark.
"The only thing you could do was work harder for the next time, and that is still the way to react."
Raikkonen is fully aware he is struggling to click with his car at present, and unless the tide soon turns, he could find himself playing second fiddle to Massa.
"Last year, in the middle of the season, we found a good balance that suited my driving style, and after that I won many races," added Raikkonen.
"We have to do the same now because we have to close the gap in the standings.
"It's not impossible. Thirteen points are a lot, but last year I was 17 points behind the leader (Hamilton) with two races to go."
Raikkonen may find himself being licked this weekend, but only in one respect due to the release of a special stamp in Finland to commemorate last year's championship success.
"I value this highly because as a small boy sending a card I never imagined that one day I would have a stamp with my own picture on it," smiled Raikkonen.
"In years to come, it will be good to show the grandchildren."
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