24/06/2008
NEWS STORY
Reflecting on a French GP, which he appeared to have sewn up, until encountering a problem with a loose exhaust, Kimi Raikkonen admits that he has never been as happy to get to the end of a race.
"I don't know whether to be disillusioned or glad after what happened on Sunday afternoon at the French GP," admits the Finn in his blog for the Italian team. "Immediately after the race I was really disappointed, but now I have to say that I'm satisfied with the result; and that's what counts.
"I didn't have any problem during the three free practice sessions," he continues, "I immediately had a good feeling with the car. I gained pole position and I was four tenths of a second faster in the second run in Q3, when the team asked me to come in to save some fuel. This was the 200th Pole for Ferrari and I'm really proud that I was the one to gain it and being part of the long history of this great team, just like last year in China, where I gained the 200th win.
"Victory was close, but unfortunately there was a good first part, while the second turned into a nightmare. I had a good start and was able to build up a gap on Felipe. Then, at around the mid-point of the race, I noticed a drop in the engine's performance and immediately noticed that the right exhaust pipe was missing: I could see the piece flapping around ion my rear-view mirror. From then on I was really worried: I thought that I might not be able to finish the race. Over the last laps the car seemed as if it wanted to stop, so I can really be glad that I came in second. I have to admit the it has never been better to see the chequered flag. Once again we proved the you should never give up.
"The team still doesn't know exactly what happened. They will do some tests, but it's difficult to find an answer without the exhaust pipe and with an engine that has been under stress like that for half of the race.
"Obviously I'm sorry that I didn't win a race where everything went well in the beginning. We have to look at the positive aspects: the team did great work and I gained 8 points, although I had a problem, which could have made me retire. And now I'm closer to the top than I was after Canada.
"It's a hard Championship with four drivers close together. We're not even half way through the season and there are still loads of points to gain. Last year at this point I was 20 points behind!
"We expect to be really competitive at Silverstone. This week all the teams will test there ahead of the British GP: I'll drive on Thursday after Felipe has tested two days. I like the track and I have fond memories of it: it's good to come here with a car that can fight for the win."