RAIKKONEN: 2008 Already Better Than 2007 In Every Way | FerrariChat

RAIKKONEN: 2008 Already Better Than 2007 In Every Way

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by RP, Mar 11, 2008.

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  1. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
    17,667
    Bocahuahua, Florxico
    Full Name:
    Tone Def
    (from autosport)


    Kimi Raikkonen says he is heading into this weekend's Australian Grand Prix feeling like a different man to how he was 12 months ago.

    The Finn dominated last year's season opener in Melbourne but then took a while to find his feet before a late-year charge helped him secure the championship.

    However, having clearly settled in well by the end of last year, Raikkonen thinks he will be in much stronger shape when this season's campaign kicks off.

    "Personally I feel a huge difference to start this season compared to 2007," said Raikkonen. "Now I know the team and the way they work and there won't be any surprises.

    "I've built up a good relationship with my engineers and we understand each other: they know how I want my car to be set up."

    Raikkonen has said he cannot wait for the new season to begin, and is adamant that Ferrari's F2008 is a better can than the championship-winning F2007.

    "I believe that we're going to Melbourne with a competitive car," he explained. "The tests during the winter went very well and we did everything possible. The F2008 is a step forward from the car we had last year.

    "The team have done a great job; especially in the areas where we weren't that strong, like the behaviour through slow corners and over the kerbs. We should be strong in every situation, although you never know these things for sure."

    He added: "I'm really satisfied with how the tests went. We have a strong, fast, competitive and reliable package. We should be there fighting for victories in every race and in the end for the two championships."

    Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali believes that speed will not be the deciding factor in the fight for the championship, however.

    "I think that, as always, we need to be very careful when analyzing the data from winter testing," he said. "However, our car seems to be a good one, but we need to see exactly where the others are both in terms of performance and reliability.

    "I am pretty sure that this year reliability will make the difference, especially in the first half of the season. So I want to be cautious and not say much about this until we can see what is going on. We have a great respect for all our competitors but we know we can do something good this year."
     
  2. nopassn

    nopassn Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,959
    Kansas City
    Full Name:
    Roy
    All fine and good... but daddy wants to see this phantom new nose - still...
     
  3. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2005
    23,476
    KL, Malaysia
    Full Name:
    MC Cool Breeze
    i hope the Ferrari duo will crush everyone.
     
  4. Ambassiatore

    Ambassiatore Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2007
    926
    Full Name:
    David Figueredo T.
    ...if only "the behaviour through slow corners and over the kerbs" was fixed...then we have quite a weapon for this years challenge, McLarens were SO good last year we will need to be competitive in every single track...no matter if slow turns or high kerbs.

    ...Monaco and Fuji were...well, painfull.
     
  5. Lindsay_Ross

    Lindsay_Ross Formula Junior

    May 14, 2007
    416
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Lindsay Ross
    You know its going well for Raikko, he's actually giving interviews and ****.
     
  6. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

    Feb 9, 2005
    17,667
    Bocahuahua, Florxico
    Full Name:
    Tone Def
    Yes, and smiling and talking in a way that a normal human can understand him.
     
  7. R2112

    R2112 Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2006
    2,422
    TX
    Sunday can't get here fast enough!!!
     
  8. rmani

    rmani F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    7,334
    NJ
    Full Name:
    RMani
    well said. i hope hamilton's mclaren breaks on him also.
     
  9. DMC308

    DMC308 F1 Rookie

    Aug 19, 2006
    2,573
    Seattle/Noosa
    Full Name:
    D

    Its kinda like waiting all night to open your gifts on Christmas day...
     
  10. R2112

    R2112 Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2006
    2,422
    TX
    Or maybe just that his finger get's "mischievous" again...and again...and again. ;)
     
  11. R2112

    R2112 Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2006
    2,422
    TX

    Exactly! Last Christmas it seemed to take Santa forever to get to my house......





    Uh...I mean, "my son" told me it seemed to take Santa forever to get to the house. :eek:
     

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