Formula One news

Räikkönen hoping for rival failures

The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend will be a significant one for Kimi Räikkönen in more ways than one; not only does the Ferrari driver have only two races left for the team with which he wrapped up his World Championship title at Interlagos in 2007 but the weekend will also be one of celebration on a more personal note.

Kimi trails 4th placed Webber by 6.5 points

The remaining couple of Grands Prix in 2009 are vital for Ferrari for a number of reasons; with Lewis Hamilton closing in, Räikkönen continues his pursuit of Mark Webber's fourth place in the Drivers' standings as McLaren continues its challenge of Ferrari's third place for teams' honours.

"There's no doubt that this track is connected to the most wonderful memory of my career," Kimi explained. "Two years ago I won the Drivers' title here in Brazil but I have done well many more times, gaining a place on the podium five times.

Räikkönen's only 2009 win thus far came in Belgium at the end of August

"My goal is to gain a place on the podium, which might not be easy; with every race things are more and more difficult for us because other teams continue improving their cars while we have been using the same car for a couple of months - we have to be perfect and benefit from eventual weak moments of our competitors."

With the intense battles continuing on-track, Räikkönen also hopes to enjoy himself off it on his return home. "I'll celebrate my 30th birthday on Saturday," he continued. "A place on the podium would be a great present but, as I just said, our competitors also have to contribute to it somehow. For my birthday celebrations I'll wait until I'm back in Europe to celebrate with my friends and my family."

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