Formula One news

Räikkönen braced for competitive weekend

Kimi Räikkönen will be aiming for a podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend as the 2007 World Champion arrives at Monza off the back of a first Ferrari win of the season in Belgium. With KERS on-board, the local team had initially been tipped as front-running favourites although the Finn has played down his chances.

Monza could be the former Champion's last European race for Ferrari

After holding off Giancarlo Fisichella's Force India at the way to the finish at Spa, Räikkönen will now be driving alongside the Italian in front of the passionate Tifosi. "These are very intense weeks: after the two consecutive races in Valencia and Spa there is now Monza on the calendar, this year's last race in Europe," Räikkönen wrote on his website.

"In Belgium we won and we want to go on like this in the last races, trying to stay on the podium. It's one of the most important Grands Prix of the year because we race in front of our fans and it would be great to give them satisfaction." Kimi then admitted that Spa was the first time in a 'long time' - 16 months, in fact - that the Finnish and Italian national anthems had been heard consecutively on the podium.

Räikkönen finished runner-up in Italy for McLaren three years ago

How does the leading Ferrari driver expect to fare against his new associate? "He's one of the most expert drivers and we will give our best to help Ferrari keep third place in the Constructors' Championship," he said of Fisichella. "The performance levels change from one race to the next this year."

Ferrari has openly admitted that, unlike many of its rivals, development on its 2009 car has now been ceased although Kimi refuses to give in. "It will be a difficult weekend but I can promise the fans that we will give our best as usual," he added.

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