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[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

World Champion Kimi Raikkonen fell further behind the 2008 title fight on Sunday, but the Finn will still not pledge his remaining efforts to Felipe Massa's more promising campaign.

Raikkonen, in finishing out of the points at Monza, is now a full 20 points behind Massa in the drivers' standings, while Brazilian Massa trails leader Lewis Hamilton by a single point with four races to run.

But to reporters after the race in Italy, 28-year-old Raikkonen would not commit to now supporting Ferrari's best hope for the crown.

"I don't know, we will see what happens," he said, just days after Ferrari announced he will stay with the Italian team for at least two more years.

"I'm not really interested in thinking what we are going to do in the next races."

Recovering to fight for the 2008 title must now be a distant hope for Raikkonen, while doing so may steal points from Massa, who has not been declared Ferrari's number one driver for the rest of the season.

The Finn, who recorded the fastest lap of the race at Monza, insisted of his own chances: "It is not good but we'll keep trying and hoping to do better in the next races."

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

[Denthúl]

Rather selfish, if you ask me. He would require three wins with both Massa and Hamilton recording DNFs which, if you ask me, is quite unlikely.

[McLaren Fan]

Rather selfish, if you ask me. He would require three wins with both Massa and Hamilton recording DNFs which, if you ask me, is quite unlikely.

I agree. Let's face it, Massa pulled over for Raikkonen last season at the Brazilian Grand Prix, so it's time for Raikkonen to repay the favour.

[Denthúl]

Indeed. What he really needs to do is finish second to Massa in the next few races in order to prevent Hamilton from scoring too many points. Can't really see that happening, though, seeing as he probably won't qualify well-enough :/

[darwin dali]

Rather selfish, if you ask me. He would require three wins with both Massa and Hamilton recording DNFs which, if you ask me, is quite unlikely.

I agree. Let's face it, Massa pulled over for Raikkonen last season at the Brazilian Grand Prix, so it's time for Raikkonen to repay the favour.

I'm sure KR will repay that favor...


...in Brazil.

However, he's still got a shot at the title mathematically, so you can't really expect him to turn over and get a belly rub. Even though that would be nice for my boy

[Mikep99]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

[darwin dali]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

[EwanM]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

lol I agree.

[McLaren Fan]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

In this case, one driver is not in the picture anymore, so it's the sensible thing to do.

[Mikep99]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

In this case, one driver is not in the picture anymore, so it's the sensible thing to do.

Yeh we know their is always an excuse.

It is NEVER the same thing.

Do you see a pattern here by any chance

[racechick]

You're in argumentative mood tonight Mike. You enjoy pressing peoples buttons dont you!

[EwanM]

You're in argumentative mood tonight Mike. You enjoy pressing peoples buttons dont you!

[racechick]

You're in argumentative mood tonight Mike. You enjoy pressing peoples buttons dont you!

Not THOSE buttons!....Behave yourself EwmanM!

[IceManpjn]

Rather selfish, if you ask me. He would require three wins with both Massa and Hamilton recording DNFs which, if you ask me, is quite unlikely.

It's still possible that they could see a DNF, as all of the top four drivers have at least one DNF each for 2008 so far (Massa has two as well as a third that was late enough to qualify for 17th), but I wouldn't count on it, and I also don't count on Kimi finishing in the top three during each of the remaining races. Sure, he has several podium finishes this season, but also a few lower point-scoring finishes and a couple outside the points altogether. I'm sure he'll do pretty well, but I just don't see him realistically being this season's champion. It's simply between Hamilton and Massa at this point, and whether they want to make it official or not Räikkönen is Ferrari's number two.

[McLaren Fan]

How Ironic.
Now a Ferrari driver is being criticized for not helping out his team mate.

Ferrari don't seem to be able to win can they.

Dammed if they do Dammed if they don't.

In this case, one driver is not in the picture anymore, so it's the sensible thing to do.

Yeh we know their is always an excuse.

It is NEVER the same thing.

Do you see a pattern here by any chance

Let me break this down for you. Massa has a great chance of winning the title. Raikkonen, unless a miracle from God occurs, has no chance of winning the title. McLaren are in a similar position with their drivers: Hamilton has a great chance to win the title and Kovalainen never looked like winning it. Should Raikkonen take points of Massa, therefore, Hamilton stands a better chance of winning the title. Is this good for Ferrari? No.