Ferrari has denied claims its 2017 car is more suited to the driving style of Sebastian Vettel. With his contract expiring, Finnish veteran Kimi Raikkonen has struggled at the wheel of the new red car, which in the hands of teammate Vettel has won two of the three races so far.
"I've spoken to Ferrari engineer Jock Clear and he said Kimi wants a car that is very sensitive to the first move made on the steering wheel," former F1 driver Mika Salo told the Finnish broadcaster C More. "Late last year, the car was the way Kimi wanted it and he beat Vettel on a regular basis," he added.
But Mattia Binotto, Ferrari's technical boss, played down that sort of simplistic analysis. "I would not say so," he is quoted as saying. "The car is good both in aerodynamics and engine, and both of our drivers are world champions. I am sure that very soon, Kimi will be able to do a good result," Binotto added.
Championship leader Vettel also backed Raikkonen to bounce back this year. "I don't know," said the German. "In the tests we were equally strong so generally I don't have an answer and I don't know what his problems have been." (GMM)
Kimi is too oldschool to race this complex machines. He comes from a totally different era. Same goes to guys like Jenson Button and Massa. Fernando Alonso on the contrary is totally a different type of racer. He adapts and performs incredibly well with whatever he's got, even a McLaren Honda. LOL
I dont know, Massa doesnt seem to handle the cars too bad, neither did Button if you compare him to Alonso. No idea what the deal is with Kimi at the moment, but I think its more down to him simply not being comfortable in the car, rather than the car being too complex for him.
Well i deny their denial. The car was built around Vettel. He is the star... he is the guy inside the team. Everybody know how things work there. Rubens was there once (Prost commented one time that if they allowed he would easily beat Michael)....Felipe was there once (when Alonso came to the team).... its old .. but gold... that ferrari acts like this
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C. Sainz jr
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calle.itw
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Doesnt seem so, but would you like Ketchup with your smack to Red Bull's ego?