Friday, September 26, 2008
DEFENDING world champion Kimi Raikkonen admitted yesterday his hopes of retaining the title were now out of his hands, but vowed to do all he could to haul himself back into the race.
The Ferrari driver sits fourth in the standings with four races to go after failing to get a podium place at the last Grand Prix at Monza.
Now 21 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton and 20 behind teammate Felipe Massa, the Finn knows nothing short of victory on the unfamiliar Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore this weekend will be enough.
"The most important thing is to win again. The situation in the championship is what it is and it doesn't depend any more only on my results, but of my competitors' results," he said on www.ferrariworld.com.
"In theory it's not over yet, but I don't have it under control any more."
Raikkonen has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in April and the last time he scored any championship points was at Germany in July, when he finished sixth.
But he remains happy after signing a new contract with Ferrari, and is determined to return to his winning ways.
"We'll give it our best at Singapore, so that we can fight for the win, which still remains the main objective. We have to give it all in these four races and then we'll see what's going to happen," he said.
"I've said it many times: victory is the only objective, the essence of motor racing. I'm not just here for driving, but I want to win."
There has been talk that Raikkonen will be under team orders to support Massa's push for the title, but the Finn has not been keen to give up his hopes of a second world crown while he still has a mathematical chance.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali said mission orders had been given to both drivers, but did not spell out what they were.
"The fight for the two titles (drivers and constructors) will be very close," Domenicali said.
"Kimi and Felipe met (Ferrari) president Montezemolo, who made it very clear that, as usual, Ferrari's simple target come the end of the season is to win both titles.
"Both drivers will be working towards this target over the remaining four races, knowing that, as always for the Scuderia, the good of the team comes first."
The omens for a Raikkonen win here aren't good, after he struggled on other street circuits this year, including at Valencia last month when he was forced to retire.
Nevertheless, he has no fear of driving under the powerful spotlights that will illuminate the track in Singapore, which is making history as the first Formula One night race ever.
"I've been waiting for September 28," he said of race day.
"Of course when I think of the results I had this year on street circuits, I shouldn't be too optimistic, but I still like to race on this kind of track: it's pure emotion, when you find the right set up for the single-seater and race between the walls.
"I don't think that it will be a big problem that we race at night. They've done it already with motorbikes and it was a great experience.
"I'm someone who likes to sleep late. My body will adapt perfectly fine to this unusual time of day." AFP
The Ferrari driver sits fourth in the standings with four races to go after failing to get a podium place at the last Grand Prix at Monza.
Now 21 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton and 20 behind teammate Felipe Massa, the Finn knows nothing short of victory on the unfamiliar Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore this weekend will be enough.
"The most important thing is to win again. The situation in the championship is what it is and it doesn't depend any more only on my results, but of my competitors' results," he said on www.ferrariworld.com.
"In theory it's not over yet, but I don't have it under control any more."
Raikkonen has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in April and the last time he scored any championship points was at Germany in July, when he finished sixth.
But he remains happy after signing a new contract with Ferrari, and is determined to return to his winning ways.
"We'll give it our best at Singapore, so that we can fight for the win, which still remains the main objective. We have to give it all in these four races and then we'll see what's going to happen," he said.
"I've said it many times: victory is the only objective, the essence of motor racing. I'm not just here for driving, but I want to win."
There has been talk that Raikkonen will be under team orders to support Massa's push for the title, but the Finn has not been keen to give up his hopes of a second world crown while he still has a mathematical chance.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali said mission orders had been given to both drivers, but did not spell out what they were.
"The fight for the two titles (drivers and constructors) will be very close," Domenicali said.
"Kimi and Felipe met (Ferrari) president Montezemolo, who made it very clear that, as usual, Ferrari's simple target come the end of the season is to win both titles.
"Both drivers will be working towards this target over the remaining four races, knowing that, as always for the Scuderia, the good of the team comes first."
The omens for a Raikkonen win here aren't good, after he struggled on other street circuits this year, including at Valencia last month when he was forced to retire.
Nevertheless, he has no fear of driving under the powerful spotlights that will illuminate the track in Singapore, which is making history as the first Formula One night race ever.
"I've been waiting for September 28," he said of race day.
"Of course when I think of the results I had this year on street circuits, I shouldn't be too optimistic, but I still like to race on this kind of track: it's pure emotion, when you find the right set up for the single-seater and race between the walls.
"I don't think that it will be a big problem that we race at night. They've done it already with motorbikes and it was a great experience.
"I'm someone who likes to sleep late. My body will adapt perfectly fine to this unusual time of day." AFP
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