Source: Ferrari Media

F1 News

Raikkonen thinks key to Ferrari's success a combination of things

Raikkonen thinks key to Ferrari's success a "combination of things"

06-08-2018 08:35
Author profile picture

Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has explained that his team's success this season is not just rooted in their power unit, as the Ice Man thinks a "combination of things" are at the base of the Italians' success.

Mercedes have a marginal lead in the constructors' championship heading into the summer break as the Germans lead by ten points. However, it's Ferrari who have looked more and more powerful as the season went on, which is a testament to the hard work the engineers at the factory in Maranello do.

It's small things like Vettel's spin in Germany that are currently costing the team the first place in the title race, rather than just being outclassed by Mercedes like in years passed.

"We have a decent car, we keep improving things," Raikkonen told F1i in his typical down-playing fashion.

"It’s a lot to do with the feel, how you feel the car and tyres and all these things."

The Finn has had a rejuvenation this year as he's climbed the podium eight times already, although he's yet to win a race. That last part can be blamed on Ferrari's team orders, but that's a different story.

"Obviously some circuits are better, some conditions are better for one team than other, and I think we’ve been pretty okay most of the places," Raikkonen continued.

"I think a lot of things will be falling in the right places.

"There are still things to improve for us as a whole team, but that’s never-ending.

"It doesn’t matter, even if you win all the races there are always things to improve.

"That kind of area in this sport will never stop and I don’t think you are ever good enough in many ways."

It's very unlikely that Kimi will be mounting a title challenge with Ferrari's tactics of always letting Sebastian Vettel ahead of him, but his excellent performances could prove to be a key factor if Ferrari manage to grab their first constructors' championship in a decade.