07/06/2007
NEWS STORY
Talking in Montreal, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has admitted to being sympathetic to Kimi Raikkonen difficult 2007 season, thus far.
Following a win in Melbourne, the Finn has struggled, retiring in Spain and them making a mistake in Monaco which lost him any hope of a decent qualifying position. Indeed, many within and outside the paddock are left unconvinced by the Finn's performances this season, feeling that he's not the same driver who battled against the odds in 2005, in particular.
"Kimi is a friend," Dennis told reporters in Montreal today, "and I've seen him struggle with problems. I see him as a friend, not a competitor, and seeing a friend in pain gives me no pleasure at all."
Raikkonen has said that despite the fact that he is 15 points shy of the joint title leaders he remains confident that he can battle for the title.