Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is aiming to win for the second time in Hungary this Sunday and insists that McLaren are not the clear favourites that some are making them out to be. This race is the closest to being a home race for the Finn and always attracts a significant number of supporters. Raikkonen withdrew from the European grand prix with hydraulic failure after two successive victories and says the championship is still within reach.
"It is always a pleasure to come to Hungary. Maybe the track is not one of the most fascinating ones, but it is really challenging. And then it's good to know that after this race we'll have a short holiday break. Whatever someone does, it's always nice to have a break. I have already won this race once. It's very hot here and the race is physically demanding: Only if you win you don't suffer at the Hungaroring! I archived the European GP already. I don't want to talk about it anymore: What is for sure is that I will not come to Hungary as someone defeated. Not at all! "Everybody says that McLaren has to be stronger than us here; but I don't think that this will be the case. We have taken a big step forward since the race in Monaco and it will be really interesting to see how competitive we are over the weekend.
"The Hungaroring is very slow and winding; so the two most important things here are the right angle entry into the corners and the traction: if these two things work out, then you have good cards in your hand. Obviously it is very important to stay ahead in qualifying and if possible also stay clear of the dirty side of the track.
"Looking at the races of this season one can see easily that starting on the clean side of the track is very important at the start. Beyond that, on this track here it's really difficult to overtake, which makes the qualifying even more important."
Raikkonen said that finishing ahead of all the other three drivers who are competing for the title was his ultimate aim.
"I'm more or less in the same situation as I was at the Nurburgring, but it's clear that I can't allow myself another race without points. I still believe that it's possible for me to win the title: just look at the last race and you can see that everything can happen. A bad race for my competitors is enough to immediately reduce the gap." Referring to his recent break in Finland, Raikkonen said his participation in a boat race was 'special'.
"True, last weekend there was a motorboat meeting at Hanko and me and two friends of mine participated as a team on a boat with a real captain and a real helmsman what a pity that us three were dressed like gorillas -- we even won the prize for the best costumes! I had lots of fun and I hope that it will be the same during the upcoming weekend in Hungary."
Issued by Ferrari
"It is always a pleasure to come to Hungary. Maybe the track is not one of the most fascinating ones, but it is really challenging. And then it's good to know that after this race we'll have a short holiday break. Whatever someone does, it's always nice to have a break. I have already won this race once. It's very hot here and the race is physically demanding: Only if you win you don't suffer at the Hungaroring! I archived the European GP already. I don't want to talk about it anymore: What is for sure is that I will not come to Hungary as someone defeated. Not at all! "Everybody says that McLaren has to be stronger than us here; but I don't think that this will be the case. We have taken a big step forward since the race in Monaco and it will be really interesting to see how competitive we are over the weekend.
"The Hungaroring is very slow and winding; so the two most important things here are the right angle entry into the corners and the traction: if these two things work out, then you have good cards in your hand. Obviously it is very important to stay ahead in qualifying and if possible also stay clear of the dirty side of the track.
"Looking at the races of this season one can see easily that starting on the clean side of the track is very important at the start. Beyond that, on this track here it's really difficult to overtake, which makes the qualifying even more important."
Raikkonen said that finishing ahead of all the other three drivers who are competing for the title was his ultimate aim.
"I'm more or less in the same situation as I was at the Nurburgring, but it's clear that I can't allow myself another race without points. I still believe that it's possible for me to win the title: just look at the last race and you can see that everything can happen. A bad race for my competitors is enough to immediately reduce the gap." Referring to his recent break in Finland, Raikkonen said his participation in a boat race was 'special'.
"True, last weekend there was a motorboat meeting at Hanko and me and two friends of mine participated as a team on a boat with a real captain and a real helmsman what a pity that us three were dressed like gorillas -- we even won the prize for the best costumes! I had lots of fun and I hope that it will be the same during the upcoming weekend in Hungary."
Issued by Ferrari