Raikkonen: "A driver's skill has a strong influence on this track"

Instead of the usual order normally found on a racing circuit, the motorhomes and hospitality areas are located throughout the port of Monaco in any way that makes their placement possible, even if in narrow places. The world press, however, had no problem finding the red and bright Media Center of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro. Inside the motorhome was Raikkonen who was speaking at the first press conference of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.

The first question was related to the previous race in Istanbul and the fact that Kimi regretted the loss of the first free practice session due to a gearbox problem: "If you want the car to be okay, then you are forced to lose an hour and a half of free practice, and if at that point the weather changes, it is very difficult to have any results – declared the Finnish driver, making a statement that applies even more to a circuit like the road one in Monte Carlo.

Last year, this famous race was not full of fame for the Scuderia, although Felipe Massa still managed to take third place on the podium. And overall, it's fair to say that for a team that has won so many races on so many occasions, even in excellent form the Prancing Horse has often stumbled here, failing to register victories since 2001. However, Raikkonen he feels that progress has been made: “I think we are in a better position than we were in last year here” – he reiterated. "We had some good test sessions last week at Paul Ricard. Let's see how it goes tomorrow. Hopefully, this year we are in a position where we can fight for victories. We have some new components that we would also have in other races and obviously the The car will be set in a high downforce configuration, which I was able to test at Paul Ricard, and although it is impossible to simulate the Monaco track exactly, it is still the best opportunity to prepare for this race."

Kimi is not nicknamed "Iceman" for nothing, in fact he rarely shows his emotions. But when asked, he admitted that a victory on this famous track would be very special for him. "A win here gives you the same ten points as any other win of the season, but for sure it's nice to win this race, especially for the atmosphere here, for its unique location and for the people. so close to the track."

When asked who he thought was the best driver he had seen lapping the Monaco circuit, Kimi replied diplomatically: "Maybe someone who has already retired! But among the drivers now in the Championship, I think they are Alonso, Hamilton and Felipe, who finished third here last year. All three have the ability to do well at this track. In past years, I have had many exciting battles with Alonso, which I have enjoyed. The other side of this circuit that I really like is that, in a sport where the technical side has a huge influence on the final result of a race, in this circuit the skill of a driver is decisive on the final result. But as in all the circuits, if you don't have a good car, you have no chance of winning." Felipe doesn't like this circuit, what about you? "I think every driver has his favorite circuit. It's a matter of personal taste. I like Monaco."

Ferrari