Formula One news

Raikkonen careful on expectations for Fuji

This morning Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen arrived in Tokyo, ready for the Japanese GP, one of the three last races of this season. After 30 years the Japanese Grand Prix will return to the renovated race track of Fuji.

Two weeks ago, at Spa-Francorchamps, Ferrari finished in first and second but the Finn cools down the expectations for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. "Honestly, I've seen the track only in the papers. I read that our car would not adapt perfectly to this kind of track, but I know that our team has worked very hard, so we can be competitive during the weekend," he said. "I know that some drivers prepared themselves for this race using simulators, but to be honest, that's something I don't like: I've never played with a Playstation, never used simulators and I think that my performance did not suffer at all! I'll face this race just like I faced the ones before, which means that I want to win."

Getting to know the track shouldn't be a problem at all Raikkonen believes: "With three hours of free practice on Friday and one on Saturday morning I don't think that there will be any problems in the qualifying. I always liked to discover new tracks, I really like that feeling it gives me. It's nice to walk down the track on Thursday to get to know all the corners. It's difficult to tell who might have an advantage here. We know that McLaren will be very strong, but they know that we will be too. We'll try to go on riding the wave of the 1-2-win at Spa-Francorchamps: the two McLarens are still well ahead and obviously they don't want to make any stupid mistake: I have nothing to loose, but they have to be very careful."

Once it became official, Kimi wanted to celebrate the 15th title in the constructors' championship by Ferrari. "I'm really happy for the team and I'm glad that I contributed to win that title. It's a great reward for all the work the team has done over the season."

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