(Autosport) Luca Baldesserri believes now that Raikkonen has adapted to the team and the tyres, that Kimi has been racing at Michael Schumacher's level. He went on to say: "Generally with Kimi, we were struggling a bit at the beginning because he had some trouble to adapt his driving style to our car, to learn all our systems and to learn the Bridgestone tyres, but I have to say from the mid-season to the race he did today (China), he can be at the same level as Michael." In this interview he also commented as to after 10 years together, all they had to do was to look into Michael's eyes to undertand where there was a problem. (From the beginning of the season I have been stating on this forum that Kimi was having trouble adapting to Ferrari, that was not a commentary on his driving skill. Thankfully Massa picked up the slack the first half of the season. For that reason, Ferrari has won 50% of the races this season. I look forward to 2008 for an exceptional performance from what will be the most solid team on the grid, Kimi and Phil.)
I think it made a lot of sense to think that Kimi would take some time to adjust to a new team. I think everyone was expecting him to do it a bit quicker but at least he picked up the slack and started earning his salary towards the end of the season. Next year should be very exciting with the teams getting mixed up with Alonso's departure *crosses fingers* and with Kimi and Felipe having a full season behind them as team mates.
Kimi is a talented guy - and make no mistake - but he's never going to be at MS's level. That said it would be interesting to see how the combo of Brawn and Raikkonen would fare in '08
I have to Admit Kimmi has improved, but he wont be at Schumacher level...he lacks the hearth Michael had...and that is something you just cant learn. On the other hand, we have the old faithfull Massa...Im keeping my money with Massa for next year, but for the sake of Ferrari, we will have the fastest car and driver line up on the Grid... And that ladies and Gentleman hasnt happened since Gilles Villeneuve or Jody Sheckter FORZA FERRARI
Doesn't seem like Alonso or Hamilton had any learning curve to overcome at McLaren. Kimi is just being Kimi.
I'd say that the reality is that right now Kimi is faster than MS even if MS had stayed with it. At his prime MS was probably untouchable.
Does that mean Kimi now speaks Italian, loves his mother, gets Pizza for his mechanics to eat during the night and thanks the cleaning lady in press conferences?
Kimi does not speak any inteligible language. He always loved his mother. No pizza, just vodka shots for the mechanics, and the cleaning lady has not yet met Kimi.
I disagree. I think it is an explanation for what we can see when we watch the races: Kimi has found his feet. He is no longer floundering around in 5th place but now fights for victories.
Maybe what he meant was, Kimi's now racing at the level of a retired driver who has put on a few pounds.
I think the car reliability problems Kimi had right after the first race caused him to pull back a bit and get to know the car better before he went all out again.
