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Finland's Kimi Raikkonen is currently third in the Formula 1 drivers' standings with just two races to go. The Team Lotus F1 driver scored his first victory in F1 since returning to Grand Prix racing at the beginning of the year following a two-year stint in the FIA World Rally Championship.
His win in Abu Dhabi proved that the Lotus E20 is one of the best F1 cars in the field. “We didn't give up. We had a period where new developments for the car weren't working exactly as wanted straight away, and when you have to test new parts during practice sessions it's very difficult to make progress, but we kept pushing,” Raikkonen explained.
“We continued with the exhaust developments we made during practice in Korea and India and the pace was promising all weekend in Abu Dhabi. I was never out of the top 10 all weekend and with that in mind I think we had a good idea that we could be competitive if we could just get qualifying right, which has been the big issue all season long. This time though, we got it right,” he continued.
The win came only a few days after he was confirmed for next season. “Yes, it's a pretty good way to show that everyone's made the right choice. We've shown all season how good we can be, and in Abu Dhabi we showed we can win. There is more to come. I promise,” Raikkonen confirmed.
The Circuit of the Americas, home of the Grand Prix of the United States next weekend will be new to all F1 drivers.
“I have always liked to go to new places as it adds a bit of additional excitement. I'm particularly looking forward to this one. I like the American atmosphere, it's just a relaxed environment; they know how to have fun and, most of all, they love racing,” the Lotus driver said.
Kimi has contested two races in NASCAR, one in the Camping World Truck series and one in the Nationwide series, so he knows what racing is like in the U.S.
“Last year I tried NASCAR. I did two races on the Charlotte oval and I really liked it a lot. That was probably the experience I needed to open my eyes for racing again. After that I really wanted to come back to Formula 1, while it was a tempting idea to do more NASCAR, too. After seeing the excitement of the American NASCAR fans I hope Formula 1 gets people as eager to enjoy our racing in Texas, too,” he concluded.
His win in Abu Dhabi proved that the Lotus E20 is one of the best F1 cars in the field. “We didn't give up. We had a period where new developments for the car weren't working exactly as wanted straight away, and when you have to test new parts during practice sessions it's very difficult to make progress, but we kept pushing,” Raikkonen explained.
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| Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) wins ahead Fernando Alonso (Ferrari). (Photo: WRi2) |
“We continued with the exhaust developments we made during practice in Korea and India and the pace was promising all weekend in Abu Dhabi. I was never out of the top 10 all weekend and with that in mind I think we had a good idea that we could be competitive if we could just get qualifying right, which has been the big issue all season long. This time though, we got it right,” he continued.
The win came only a few days after he was confirmed for next season. “Yes, it's a pretty good way to show that everyone's made the right choice. We've shown all season how good we can be, and in Abu Dhabi we showed we can win. There is more to come. I promise,” Raikkonen confirmed.
The Circuit of the Americas, home of the Grand Prix of the United States next weekend will be new to all F1 drivers.
“I have always liked to go to new places as it adds a bit of additional excitement. I'm particularly looking forward to this one. I like the American atmosphere, it's just a relaxed environment; they know how to have fun and, most of all, they love racing,” the Lotus driver said.
 |
| Photo: Circuit of the Americas |
Kimi has contested two races in NASCAR, one in the Camping World Truck series and one in the Nationwide series, so he knows what racing is like in the U.S.
“Last year I tried NASCAR. I did two races on the Charlotte oval and I really liked it a lot. That was probably the experience I needed to open my eyes for racing again. After that I really wanted to come back to Formula 1, while it was a tempting idea to do more NASCAR, too. After seeing the excitement of the American NASCAR fans I hope Formula 1 gets people as eager to enjoy our racing in Texas, too,” he concluded.