FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[EwanM]

From http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70103

Raikkonen to support Massa if needed

By Michele Lostia and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, August 28th 2008, 09:29 GMT


Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says world champion Kimi Raikkonen will play a supporting role to teammate Felipe Massa if needed to secure the title.

"If needed, Kimi will help Felipe," Domenicali was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We spoke about it at the beginning of the year.

"Before then, however, let's see how things evolve."

Raikkonen has struggled to match Massa's pace in recent races and the Finn has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

Massa, currently in second place in the standings seven points ahead of Raikkonen, has won four times to the Finn's two.

Domenicali is convinced, however, that Raikkonen will return to form.

"For me it doesn't represent a problem. He'll react, he'll soon be strong again, he knows how to keep away from criticisms and polemics," he added.

The team boss said it was up to the team to give Raikkonen a car he feels comfortable with.

"He isn't happy with the way the car enters corners. He would like it more aggressive, and this influences him. It's up to us to carry on giving him a hand."

Domenicali is also adamant that Massa is strong enough to win the championship.

"Certainly. We will have to give him an always competitive car. He's mature to manage it and we'll help him."

The Italian conceded the team cannot afford losing any more points through reliability problems, and revealed Ferrari have strengthen their quality control process.

"We can't anymore afford the luxury of losing important results because of reliability problems," he said. "However, it's also true that McLaren last year had 35 points more than today, and we had 16 more.

"It's been decided to strengthen controls over the whole component production of the cars. We have 40 people between metallurgy and quality department.

"What is about to start in two weeks' time in Belgium will be a sprint championship over six races, so we can't give away anything anymore."

[texasmr2]

Good read and I cannot wait for the Spa race as I luv that track!

[AKR]

Well as the long as the Ferrari's engine doesn't keep blowing up, then yes Massa can win it. And if Kimi's engine stays intact then he can play his role as well. The only thing right now that can stop Ferrari winning is reliabilty. If they get it right they will be on track as Felipe Massa is on fire like I have never ever seen before. Buena Suerte/Good Luck Massa.

[bud]

Kimi had a bigger deficit to Lewis last year with 2 races to go he was 17 behind yet right now we have 6 races to go and he is 13 behind Lewis and people are writing him off ahhhhhh
Kimi's having some bad run of form but i wouldnt be writing him off not with 60 points still up for grabs

[AKR]

Kimi had a bigger deficit to Lewis last year with 2 races to go he was 17 behind yet right now we have 6 races to go and he is 13 behind Lewis and people are writing him off ahhhhhh
Kimi's having some bad run of form but i wouldnt be writing him off not with 60 points still up for grabs

I am not writing him off. I just believe Massa has more drive and determination than Kimi at this very moment, as is the case with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. With Massa in the German GP where Lewis Hamilton was clearly the fastest, I remember that after the Safety car incident, when Lewis Hamilton passed Massa, Massa immiedialty tried to pass him back. Kimi would of just done nothing if it were him. He did nothing that whole race plus all the ones after it. I hope Kimi can bounce back as for Ferrari that will be only good, but like Massa, I as a supporter am hungry for Ferrari to win another title and McLaren to go another year without a title, so if Massa is in a better position to win given he will actually fight when he is down, then I would back Massa as of now anyday. Simple.

[bud]

Yeah youve ditched Kimi who you praised like a gift from the gods after he got your beloved Ferrari a title last year for Massa this year!

[AKR]

Yeah youve ditched Kimi who you praised like a gift from the gods after he got your beloved Ferrari a title last year for Massa this year!

Oh well and if Lewis Hamilton doesn't win it, you'll ditch him too or bag him because you don't like his attitude.

Oh and there was only one real gift from the gods for Ferrari. That was Michael Schumacher. Another reason why I like Massa. He takes advise from Michael Schumacher and he is there usually on race day to assist him. Kimi doesn't so whatever. Either start performing Kimi or move on. Simple.

[bud]

Yeah youve ditched Kimi who you praised like a gift from the gods after he got your beloved Ferrari a title last year for Massa this year!

Oh well and if Lewis Hamilton doesn't win it, you'll ditch him too or bag him because you don't like his attitude.

Oh and there was only one real gift from the gods for Ferrari. That was Michael Schumacher. Another reason why I like Massa. He takes advise from Michael Schumacher and he is there usually on race day to assist him. Kimi doesn't so whatever. Either start performing Kimi or move on. Simple.

whatever

[f1ea]

I wouldnt count Kimi out of championship contention. However, I dont think his slump is due to his abilities or effort. It has to be due to an essential issue with his style vs the car / tyres. Massa doesnt seem to have this issue, has been very strong, and the remaining circuits could be anyone's... his problems are reliability and mistakes. If Massa avoids those mistakes and the Ferrari does not break down, he should be the champion.

For Kimi to win it, more signifficant changes need to occur, adding that Massa and Lewis struggle. So this is why i feel Kimi will have a hard time recovering even with a win at Spa. As far as Kimi supporting Massa, with him Q'ing in the 3rd row dont think he could be much support cause we all know the MP's are reasonably strong in every circuit. Heikki and the team is already supporting Lewis, so if he's learned his lesson and plays the numbers, with the Ferraris having a pair of poor races or breakdowns... then god forbid, Lewis could win it

[scotty]

Kimi had a bigger deficit to Lewis last year with 2 races to go he was 17 behind yet right now we have 6 races to go and he is 13 behind Lewis and people are writing him off ahhhhhh
Kimi's having some bad run of form but i wouldnt be writing him off not with 60 points still up for grabs

Yeah seriously, it's absolutely hilarious!! Have people really forgotten the events France, Canada and GB? He had a great shout of winning those 3 races but various things thwarted him.

Add that to the fact that Massa and Hamilton will probably bottle under the pressure (JOKE)

[McLaren Fan]

It's far too early to write off Raikkonen. A guy with his ability driving an F2008 always has to be watched. Raikkonen may not seem interested now, but a good performance in Spa and a proverbial boot up the arse from Ferrari's top brass could easily rekindle his interest in this year's title proceedings. After a good talking to last season from di Montezemolo fair bucked up Raikkonen's ideas, so it seems half of the equation is in place already. I agree, too, that he is halving some issues with the tyres, particularly in qualifying, but he has gone extremely fast before this season, so some, but certainly not all of his problems, are done to how the car is working its tyres.

[f1maniac95]

I am not writing him off for the title yet because there's still 6 races to go and Spa which he should do well at.