Kimi Raikkonen season round up so far – Formula 1
Kimi Raikkonen is an eccentric talented driver who never backs down from a challenge.
The 2007 world champion has returned to the sport in 2012 after a two year hiatus. The Finn’s return to the sport in those two years remained imminent as Formula 1 teams tried to lure him back into the sport.
Raikkonen left the sport at the peak of his career, for reasons unknown. Some have said that he had motivational issues but the Finn has never confirmed that as a reason. Raikkonen joined rally racing after retiring and his short career in the sport was
without any success.
Lotus were the team to have been able to lure Raikkonen back to the sport. Questions were raised surrounding the Finn’s fitness and readiness to return to competitive Formula 1 and also about his motivational issues. Raikkonen defended against those questions
and said that he was fit and has never had any motivational issues.
Yet Lotus understood that Raikkonen was not a run of the mill driver, he was different and they required a different approach to manage him. They did just that and have been thus far quite successful.
Raikkonen showed no real signs of rustiness upon his return and showed good pace, potential and promise for the season ahead.
The Finn was helped by a strong Lotus car the E20. It is one of the most reliable cars of the season and one that manages the tyres the best amongst the top teams of the season, a factor that will mean a lot as the season progresses because of the high level
of competitiveness at display.
Raikkonen did not take long to get his first podium finish since his return as he finished second at the Bahrain Grand Prix in only his fifth race since his return.
So far, in the season he has been able to secure five podium finishes proving his critics wrong. The Finn although has been looking for a win and the way he has been going it is not going to take him long to find that win.
Still he has been coming up with consistent performances and although he is placed fifth in the drivers’ title he remains in contention for the title win.
Raikkonen with his teammate the young Romain Grosjean have been able to take the team to a good position in the season to go for the Constructors championship as well.
Team principal Eric Boullier admitted that he was forced to reassess the team’s gaols after the it has done so well in the season.
Raikkonen and Grosjean was able to leave the season break on a high as the duo finished second and third at the Hungarian Grand Prix. When they return after the break the team will be looking to bank on the platform they have built and look to move past
the teams ahead of them.
It will be interesting to see how the team fares as the season progresses, but one thing is for sure that if Lotus are to achieve something major in the season a lot of credit will go to Raikkonen who has been able to rise above expectations and perform
like he never left the sport.
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