(© Ben Johnston 2015)
Kimi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson has dismissed
claims that the Finn has already slotted into the number 2 status at Scuderia
Ferrari following the arrival of four time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
The German secured a podium on his first outing for the team
in Melbourne last month and went on to take victory at last weekend’s Malaysian
Grand Prix which has already led to suggestions that the Iceman now Ferrari’s
number 2 driver. Robertson pointed to the Iceman’s performance at the Malaysian
Grand Prix where he qualified in eleventh place before dropping down the order
on the opening lap due to a puncture.
However Raikkonen drove extremely well to come from the back
of the field to finish the race in fourth place. The Finn was also extremely
quick during practice on Friday.
Robertson stated that his client is as a quick as Sebastian
Vettel. The Iceman has just had unfortunate luck in the opening two Grand Prix
of the season through absolutely no fault of his own. In the opening race of
the season in Australia as a result of a problem with his pit-stop his was
forced to retire from the race.
In Malaysia, in qualifying the team sent him out at the
wrong time which meant that the he missed out on a place in Q3.
The issues that have marred Raikkonen’s start to the season
has led to former Ferrari Team Principal Cesare Fiorio to say that the
hierarchy has already been established within the Maranello based outfit.
However Robertson has refuted these claims and has said that
Raikkonen is extremely happy with the new car and that is a massive improvement
on last years car.
© Ben Johnston 2015
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