Formula One news

Optimistic Kimi looking forward

Kimi Räikkönen is looking forward to Turkish Grand Prix at the weekend after his and Ferrari's first podium finish of the year in Monte-Carlo. The Finn narrowly missed out on claiming pole position in the principality and failed to hide his 'disappointment' over finishing third from second on the grid.

Räikkönen was back on leading pace in Monte-Carlo

With Brawn remaining at the front of the field, Ferrari shot from eighth to fourth in the constructors' championship after Monaco as Räikkönen and team-mate Felipe Massa look to make up lost ground following their difficult start to the season. "Ferrari have gone very well at the Turkish Grand Prix over the last three years but this time Brawn GP is the great favourite," said 2007 Champion Räikkönen, who took to the rally track in Italy last weekend.

"We're closing the gap but we've got to give it our all to get back into the lead. It was great to be back on the podium at Monaco; the team pushed very hard and it was a very nice reward to have both cars amongst the first four. The Monaco weekend was a step forward as far as the result is concerned, but we have to be patient - I know that our fans want to see us winning immediately, but we have to be realistic."

Kimi became the first victor in Istanbul in 2005

With team-mate Massa having dominated in Turkey since 2006, Räikkönen is the only other man to have crossed the finish line first at Istanbul Park, having done so for McLaren in the first Turkish Grand Prix in 2005. "I think that it's the downforce we still have to make up ground with compared to Brawn GP and Red Bull, but we're heading in the right direction," he continued. "Now, almost half way through the season, I'm much more optimistic than I was at the start, especially with the steps we've taken in the last two races. We know that there are further improvements coming up, which makes me think positive about the future.

"Somebody who wins five out of six races at the start of the season is in an excellent position to winning the title, but the championship isn't over yet - everything can happen, although things have to change very soon."

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