0
Kimi Raikkonen is beginning to emerge from his earlier role as de-facto 'number 2' at Ferrari, according to countryman Mika Hakkinen. Last year the Finn was outclassed by Fernando Alonso, and initially this year new teammate and friend Sebastian Vettel also had the edge on Raikkonen.
But, more recently, the 35-year-old has upped his game and secured a new contract for 2016, even if team boss Maurizio Arrivabene admits that the harmony between Raikkonen and Vettel was a factor in that decision. "Sebastian brought enthusiasm to Ferrari," the Italian said.
"Many times he has helped us to make sure we are all together and, most importantly, he is cooperating very well with his teammate," Arrivabene added. "Seb is a great champion but also someone who is helping to stabilise the team with Kimi."
But at Monza, Raikkonen put in his best qualifying performance since returning to Ferrari last year, out-driving Vettel to take a front row grid spot. "It was nice to see that Kimi was successful at last in qualifying," fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen, a former two-time champion, wrote in his latest Hermes blog. "It's quite possible that Sebastian Vettel's attitude to Kimi will slowly change, as his (Raikkonen's) pace shows that he is not just a number 2 driver," he added. (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
V. Bottas
M. Verstappen
172,420 comments on Alpine F1
72 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
437,267 comments on Ferrari 252 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Portugal
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
France
Paul Ricard
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Russian
Sochi Autodrom
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
Australia
Albert Park
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (0)
Login to reply