Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium): Finnish Formula One (F1) veteran Kimi Raikkonen said here that he can still win races and fight for championships after agreeing to a contract extension keeping him at Ferrari next season.
The taciturn but popular Finn, a World Champion with the Italian team in 2007, has not won a Grand Prix since he was at Lotus in 2013 and, at 37, is the oldest driver on the starting grid.
Ferrari’s decision to keep him on may have disappointed those seeking fresh talent at the top but Raikkonen was adamant Thursday that he still had dreams to chase.
“I enjoy racing and obviously I want to do well. If I did not feel that I can go fast I wouldn’t be happy in myself… I wouldn’t be here,” Raikkonen told reporters.
“I have zero interest to waste my time or the team’s time to be a part of it, it’s not the nicest place to just hang around. So the racing is the main thing. “As long as I feel myself that I can win races and fight for championships then that’s fine. When I don’t feel like that, I will be the first guy to do something else,” added the Finn.
This season Raikkonen has taken his first pole position since 2008, leading the way in qualifying in Monaco, and has taken two second places and two thirds in 11 races. “Lately it’s been a bit better, I’ve been feeling a bit more comfortable and been able to drive as I want and obviously the result suddenly looks a bit better,” said Raikkonen.
On the charge
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen lapped fastest in first practice for the Belgian Grand Prix here Friday but Mercedes, and title contender Lewis Hamilton, still looked every bit the team to beat. Raikkonen lapped the longest track on the calendar with a best time of one minute 45.502 seconds in the closing minutes. Meanwhile Hamilton – preparing for his 200th race start – was second fastest and only 0.053 slower than Finn while Ferrari’s World Championship leader Sebastian Vettel was third.
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