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Currently third in the Formula 1 Driver's World Championship, former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen seems to have silenced the critics during his comeback season in Grand Prix racing. Today, the Finn has renewed his contract and is looking for more with Lotus in 2013.
The Finn, who contested the last two seasons competing in the FIA World Rally Championship in a Citroen, quickly proved that he has not lost his touch behind the wheel of an F1 car.
“I think there were a few people who had doubts about how I would perform after being away for a while. Personally, I didn't feel I stopped racing at all,” Raikkonen declared.
And he said he really feels at home with the Lotus team.
“I have been very happy with the team; how they work, how they approach the races and how they invest in developing the car,” Raikkonen added.
“I think with the progress behind the scenes at Enstone we could be fighting for the podium even more often next year and also be able to make a stronger challenge for the Championship. My motivation is as strong as it's always been. I'm keen to race on,” he said.
Lotus team boss, Eric Boullier, said that Raikkonen has started to give his inputs about the new, 2013 E21 car.
“This year has been a good platform to put down strong foundations for what will hopefully be an even better season next time around. We know what we need to do to improve in some important areas, which should help us get even better results next year. All in all, I'm looking forward to carrying on working with the team to achieve more good things in 2013,” Raikkonen said.
His main objective for next year is to qualify better than he did this season.
“Of course, the main thing is to do my very best every time, every weekend, every race. I think to be able to perform better in the races I have to find more from myself and from the car in qualifying. This season has shown that you have to be on the first two rows to be able to win every time. It's important to improve our grid positions for 2013. That's one of main targets for me,” Raikkonen concluded.
The Finn, who contested the last two seasons competing in the FIA World Rally Championship in a Citroen, quickly proved that he has not lost his touch behind the wheel of an F1 car.
“I think there were a few people who had doubts about how I would perform after being away for a while. Personally, I didn't feel I stopped racing at all,” Raikkonen declared.
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| Kimi Raikkonen (Photo: Lotus) |
And he said he really feels at home with the Lotus team.
“I have been very happy with the team; how they work, how they approach the races and how they invest in developing the car,” Raikkonen added.
“I think with the progress behind the scenes at Enstone we could be fighting for the podium even more often next year and also be able to make a stronger challenge for the Championship. My motivation is as strong as it's always been. I'm keen to race on,” he said.
Lotus team boss, Eric Boullier, said that Raikkonen has started to give his inputs about the new, 2013 E21 car.
“This year has been a good platform to put down strong foundations for what will hopefully be an even better season next time around. We know what we need to do to improve in some important areas, which should help us get even better results next year. All in all, I'm looking forward to carrying on working with the team to achieve more good things in 2013,” Raikkonen said.
His main objective for next year is to qualify better than he did this season.
“Of course, the main thing is to do my very best every time, every weekend, every race. I think to be able to perform better in the races I have to find more from myself and from the car in qualifying. This season has shown that you have to be on the first two rows to be able to win every time. It's important to improve our grid positions for 2013. That's one of main targets for me,” Raikkonen concluded.