02/07/2008
NEWS STORY
"I always like coming back to Silverstone," admits Kimi Raikkonen in his latest blog for Ferrari. "It's a great track and it has always been working out for me since the beginning of my career. I've raced the first time here when I was in Formula Renault and it was my preferred track: fast and demanding. Winning at Silverstone gives you a great feeling, because to get there you have to do everything perfectly. I did it with Formula Renault and last year with Ferrari. It's one of the fastest and most difficult tracks on the race calendar. I don't know why, but I'm a bit nostalgic every time I come back. I like being here whatever the weather is like. At least that's the same for everybody.
"We've done some tests here last week. There was lots of wind and it was quite difficult to test all the new parts we brought with us. But I think that we've taken a small step ahead and it seems to me that the car is very competitive.
"Last year it went very well for us at Silverstone and obviously I'd like to repeat that result! I made a small mistake in Qualifying, when I took the last corner too wide and I lost the Pole Position, but once we had considered the fuel on board I was still faster than Hamilton. Then with the empty track ahead I could give it all and win the race.
"As far as we can tell after our tests last week there will be a tough fight between us and McLaren. That's not a surprise because traditionally these two teams always went well here in England. It will be about tenths of a second again. We'll fight for Pole Position and this time we need to use the track to our advantage.
"I'll give it all to stay ahead in Qualifying. Starting from the Pole does make the race much easier, as we could see at Magny-Cours. I didn't win there, but I've already archived the disappointment. I'll arrive with a positive approach at Silverstone, because I know that I should have won in France. I'll use a new engine because the Team doesn't want to risk anything, although the rules say that you will not be punished if you have to change the engine.
"It's almost half way through the season now and there were ups and downs. That's quite normal and we are in a good position to fight for the title. I hope to win more races in the second half of the season, because we have a great car, able to fight for victory everywhere."