Kimi Raikkonen possibly in for a record breaking season – Formula 1 news
Kimi Raikkonen has had a better than expected return to Formula 1 so far but does he really stand a chance to win the title in his comeback year?
Before the Finn started the 2012 season former drivers and critics of the sport did not give much chance to Raikkonen of making an impact in his comeback year. His motivation and dedication to the sport was being questioned.
Raikkonen has always been a mysterious superstar of the sport, considered one of the best drivers of the modern day Formula 1. Raikkonen left the sport in the prime of his career. His retirement was widely seen as lack of motivation in him.
After he made his comeback he responded to those suggestions and speculations that he has never had any motivational issues, and will be giving his best to the sport.
After the season started it was clear from the performance of the Finn that he meant business and wanted to win. During the Bahrain GP Raikkonen narrowly missed an opportunity to win the race but Sebastian Vettel held his cool to remain ahead.
The next race was in Spain where Raikkonen again made the podium behind Pastor Maldonado and Fernando Alonso.
After both the races Raikkonen looked disappointed and also admitted that he considered both the races as missed opportunities for a win.
Monaco was a different circuit and Raikkonen could be the same free spirit driver at the track and finished the race placed 9th.
The important thing though is that he is still very much in contention for the drivers’ championship title. He is placed sixth in the standing but the gap between him and the leader of the board Fernando Alonso is of 25 points.
The level of competitiveness in the season has allowed for a very small margin of error and it is still very much anyone’s title at the moment. That is what Raikkonen will be looking to in order to remain positive in the season. Only six races have gone
by and there are still fourteen more Grands Prix to go which are ample races to remove that lead.
The next race is in Canada and it suits the Finn perfectly, the long straights of the Montreal circuit will allow Raikkonen to driver freely and show his true class.
If Raikkonen can conjure up the performance to win the title he will be the first driver in the history of Formula 1 to win a title in his comeback year after at least out of the sport for one season.
It will be interesting to see how the Finn’s season progresses, the competition with six champions racing in the season is going to be fierce but that is also part of the excitement of the season.
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