From the moment Kimi- Matias Räikkönen drove his Sauber- Petronas C20 into sixth place at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix you couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the young Fin. The sense of anticipation from the motorsport world could have only been further fueled upon hearing it was only his 24th career race. The motorsport world was truely at his feet and it wasn't long until he signed for Ron Dennis and the legandery Mclaren team.
Räikkönen enjoyed limited sucess at Mclaren, consistantly showing speed and race winning potential only to be hindered by a series of bad luck and engine problems. That did however not stop him for mounting a serious challenge to Michael Schumacher in 2003 and Fernando Alonso in 2005. Had he been blessed with a more reliable car it is easy to speculate what could have been for arguably one of the most exciting talents the sport has ever seen.
Although not beeing the type of person to break into a Shakesperian soliloquy his raw speed and a fearless sense of bravery won him fans the world over, stories of his drunken antics during his personal certainly suggest that he is very much alike the drivers of old. The type with genuine character but an unrivaled ability to drive a car, fast.
In 2007 Kimi Räikkönen was finally given the chance to show what he could do with a reliable car and has certainly not looked back. Despite trailing in the rankings for much of last season he got himself in first place when it truely mattered winning six races, more than anyone else and most importantly the world championship. He has since worked his way into a mould of perfection, with strong performances in Malaysia, Bahrain and Spain. Two victories in four races certainly prove this. But can anyone touch him?
The two Mclarens, although fast, do not seem able to match the Ferrari's straight line speed. BMW are closing in on Ferrari but are not yet ready to mount a challenge for race victory leaving team mate Felipe Massa as his only genuine threat, for the time being at least. Massa was dominant in Bahrain, after he sluggish start to the season he needed to be, but for all his experience in racing Ferrari's he often seems too erratic and is prone to make mistakes. Is he consistant enough to mount a challenge to the ice man? With all due respect, probably not.
Arguably the one man who could genuinely challenge him, beside the two Mclaren drivers, is Fernando Alonso however he is somewhat comprimised by driving in a distinctively inferior Renault. For 2008 at least.
Taking into account this the forecast for the 2008 season seems likely to contain many more Räikkönen victories, but as many people would argue. . . it's about time the Flying Fin was on top!
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5 months ago
At the moment the Kimi's main rival is himself but as I said in my Turkey preview arcticle Ferrari aren't that far ahead like they were in 2004 or 2002. A little lapse and Mclaren and BMW are onto them and the title opens out again.
Raikkonen is capable of beating any driver in F1 though as long as he remains focused and with the gap he is currently building in the championship its one he ought to win even if the others catch up with him.
Massa of course is his nearest rival to worry about at the moment but I think he has him covered on most tracks. If Raikkonen beats Massa in Turkey this weekend that battle will be won there and then I think. Massa won't be able come back from being beaten at his best track then Kimi just needs to worry about either BMW and Mclaren posing a fightback as I said above.
5 months ago
Hey James
I think you got a very strong point in that Raikkonen's start of the season aside Australia has been ever so dominant that with 4 races already gone and 14 to go it looks like the championship is already sealed and that is really scary!!!
however there is hope in the shape of two main rivals: a) Lewis hamilton if only Mclaren could step it up a gear ... If only?
b) Renault and Alonso, and I think this is one to take seriously because if you look at the way they came back in terms of pace at the Spanish GP it just goes to show Renault is one innovation (aero package wise) away to get back to its previous form and with Alonso in the squad; however the maths works out that right now he is 23 points behind Raikkonen and that won't help in the face of consistency and performance Alonso would have to take over 1.5 points per race over Raikkonen to win and that is just fancy wishful thinking
5 months ago
Hey James
I think your right in saying that Kimi will keep the title. As much as I want Hamilton to win it(prefer Kubica myself) McLaren need to pull something magical off to get back in the title dogfight.
I'm looking forward to Kimi doing battle with the BMW's this year. I had heard that Kimi might retire this year should he retain his title. I hope he doesn't. He's a great character, much needed these days.
Great article mate.
5 months ago
Alot of people seem to think Kimi will be gone when his current deal with Ferrari expires next year which, if proved correct, would be a great loss for the world of Formula 1. Drivers such as Coulthard and Barichello are a good 10 years older then him proving that time is still on his side. Should Kimi stay as long as they have I believe he could truely cement himself as one of the all time greats.
Having said that however Kimi does not enjoy the politics and media obligations he has to involve himself in, although you could argue it comes with the territory. He also set out to achieve becoming world champion, a feat which he has now achieved. The question is what more does he want to achieve?
Personally I would love to see him stay and would be saddened if he didn't however I can see him hanging his boots in a season or too, afterall he has made his fortune and achieved what he set out to accomplish. Only time will tell. . .
5 months ago
I wonder if Formula One drivers ever get bored of testing? Kimi doesn't enjoy the media obligations for one reason, less boozing time! lol. sorry, had to do it.
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