RAIKKONEN Interview July 30, 2008 "Still Calm"

(from autosport)

World champion Kimi Raikkonen says he is remaining calm about his championship chances after a series a disappointing races have seen him slip down the order.

The Ferrari driver led the standings after his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, the fifth round of the championship, but has been unable to climb onto the top step of the podium since then.

With ten races gone, Raikkonen is seven points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

But the Finn insists he is not allowing the tension to influence his approach and is confident Ferrari will fight back.

"It's no secret that we're not satisfied by how the last five races went," said Raikkonen. "I was particularly disappointed after the series Montreal-Magny-Cours-Silverstone: in each one of these races I had the possibility to win, but because of one thing or another things didn't go the right way and I lost.

"I never let myself be influenced by tension and I won't start now: I've just to keep my focus and continue to give as much as possible, race after race. That's what I've done every time I was in trouble."

He added: "It's still early to make any forecasts for the championship, considering that the first three drivers are only seven points apart: the positions can change in a single race.

"It's useless to cry over spilled milk: we are looking ahead, with eight races to go and at the end we'll do the maths.

"We just passed the halfway point of the season, so it's important to always gain points. Excluding Hockenheim I was always in a position to win and I hope success will come soon."

Raikkonen is adamant Ferrari will be strong at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix following a poor showing in Germany, where the world champion said he endured his hardest time of the season.

"The race at Hockenheim was the most difficult moment of the season," he said. "I was really frustrated and disappointed that I couldn't find the right balance of the car, but now we're in a much better position. We had a productive test at Jerez, especially on the second day.

"The team has done some great work in the development of the F2008 and I'm confident for Hungary. It's true that McLaren has improved a lot over the last two races, but we also know that the situation can change in the blink of an eye."