02/09/2008
NEWS STORY
"We're on the eve of one of the race weekends I really like," writes World Champion Kimi Raikkonen in his latest blog for Ferrari. "The Belgian GP is one of the highlights of the season and I usually obtain a good result at Spa.
"I need it more than ever after the results of the last races," he admits. "The last race for example was one of those one should forget as fast as possible. It's a shame to be involved in many negative stories, but these things happen: it wasn't the first time and it might not have been the last in my career. You just have to know how to cope with these situations. When I was in school it was never nice to get back home with a bad mark. The only thing you could do was work harder the next time. Today the only thing I can do is to react to this negative situation.
"After Valencia I trained at home in Switzerland and then I went to Monza for a day of testing. The tests went really well: we tested some new solutions and the overall package seems to have improved. Having said that, we only know how it will look on the track in qualifying at Spa, because you never know how much fuel everybody has on board during the tests. I think that it will be a fierce fight; one test might not be enough to change the season's overall trend.
"I've only good memories of this race. Obviously it would be fantastic to win it for the fourth time in a row: considering that I haven't won a race in several months, a success would help me to get back in the race for the title after the disappointment at Valencia. Last year we managed to find a good set up for the car during the second part of the season and we won several races. We have to do the same now, because we have to close the gap in the standings. It's not impossible: 13 points are a lot, but last year I was 17 points behind the leader, with two races to go.
"The outcome of qualifying will be fundamental. Last year I gained pole and I hope to repeat it this year. At this circuit a good aero package is very important to face the numerous fast corners. The lap is very long and to have a good time you have to keep the right rhythm. I have to try to find a good set up during the practice sessions on Friday and on Saturday morning and then I have to give it all in qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Whatever the outcome, it's nice to race at Spa. It's a very special feeling when you're driving on this track. And it's fantastic to drive here with a modern Formula One car with a really special atmosphere.
"There will also be a special moment this weekend. On Thursday afternoon the stamp the Finnish post has issued for the World Championships, which I've won in 2007, will be presented at the Ferrari motorhome. That's something really special to me: when I was a little boy I like to send postcards and I never imagined that one day I might be able to apply a stamp with my face on it. That will be really something I can tell my grandchildren."