26/09/2007
NEWS STORY
Earlier today, Kimi Raikkonen arrived in Tokyo, ready for the Japanese GP, the first of the last three races of the 2007 season.
After 30 years the Japanese Grand Prix return to the renovated track at Fuji, a circuit on which few of today's F1 stars have any experience.
"Honestly, I've seen the track only in the papers," said the Finn. "I read that our car would not adapt perfectly to this kind of track, but I know that our team has worked very hard, so we can be competitive during the weekend.
"I know that some drivers prepared themselves for this race using simulators, but to be honest, that's something I don't like: I've never played with a Playstation, never used simulators and I think that my performance did not suffer at all! I'll face this race just like I faced the ones before, which means that I want to win. We're behind, so actually we don't have any other choice. I've always been able to get to know a new race track very fast. This hasn't changed since I've been racing in Formula One. With three hours of free practice on Friday and one on Saturday morning I don't think that there will be any problems in the qualifying. I always liked to discover new tracks, I really like that feeling it gives me. It's nice to walk down the track on Thursday to get to know all the corners. It's difficult to tell who might have an advantage here."
Looking to the battle that lies ahead, the Belgian GP winner, continued; "We know that McLaren will be very strong, but they know that we will be too. We'll try to go on riding the wave of the 1-2-win at Spa-Francorchamps: the two McLarens are still well ahead and obviously they don't want to make any stupid mistake: I have nothing to loose, but they have to be very careful."
Once it became official, Kimi wanted to celebrate his team's 15th Constructors' Championship. "I'm really happy for the team and I'm glad that I contributed to win that title. It's a great reward for all the work the team has done over the season.
"After the Belgian GP I took a short break: now my neck is perfectly fine and I can move my head without any problem. I played some hockey with my friends to stay fit.
"This will be my seventh race in Japan. I've won already in Suzuka two years ago and I've had some other pretty good results there. The Japanese fans are some of the best I've seen in Formula One and it will be really great to see them shouting for Ferrari, just like in the past, when I've seen all these flags with the Prancing Horse on the grandstands."