01/10/2014
NEWS STORY
Despite coming away from Singapore with just 4 points, Kimi Raikkonen is confident he has taken a major step forward in terms of the F14 T.
The Finn is one of several drivers, Sebastian Vettel is another, who finds the characteristics of the 2014 car don't suit his driving style.
However, the 2007 world champions believes progress was made in Singapore.
"In Singapore, we finally had the speed to put together a quick single flying lap in qualifying, as the car behaved the way I'd been hoping for," he told his team's website. "It was just a shame we could not maximise the performance of the car because of a minor (software) issue before the last flying lap. It meant we could not do much in the race, as I was stuck in traffic and couldn't exploit my pace. But for me, the positive thing that weekend was I finally had a good feeling from the car, something I had been waiting for a long time this year."
Looking ahead to this weekend's race, on a circuit where he has won once before (2005) he said: "It's a high power circuit, but also technically very challenging. So we are looking forward to see how our car goes there compared to the front running teams.
"I like Suzuka a lot. It's an old-school type of racing circuit, the sort that always gives me the best feeling. I'd have to say my favourite is Spa-Francorchamps, but Suzuka comes very near in my ranking.
"Apart from my first ever time in Japan and Suzuka, when I was driving for Sauber and had to retire after crashing with Alesi, I have finished every single race in Japan and I have got some really good results, as well. Winning the 2005 race was one of my best ever drives."
"Suzuka is one of the highlights of the season. And I also like meeting the fans there: they are very passionate and they always support you, no matter how the season has gone up to that point.
"We need a good result in our fight for third place in the constructors' championship. Let's hope we get a nice clean weekend. That would help to keep the good feeling we so much want to maximise in Suzuka."