Post by F1 Junkie on Jan 14, 2007 13:45:26 GMT -5
FORMULA ONE News Sunday, 14th January 2007
I made the right decision, insists Raikkonen.
Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari's annual pre-season event at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy [Pic credit: Ferrari media]
Kimi Raikkonen insists he made the right decision in choosing to switch from McLaren to Ferrar for 2007i, insisting he has been welcomed in a ‘warm hearted way' and that he is looking forward to getting his hands on the newly launched F2007.
Much has been made of Raikkonen's defection from McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher at Ferrari and although the Finn was not to be drawn on the comparisons of life at each team, he did admit to be enjoying his time with the Italian squad so far.
"I have been received here in a very nice way and I have a good feeling," he said. "It is nice to be with Ferrari and I do not want to make any comparisons to the past. It's a completely different story. Let's put it like this: In Maranello it is just as I expected it to be.
"Here everything is different to what I have seen until now in my career. This is a team that welcomed me in a very warm hearted way; I think I have made a good decision when I decided to come to Ferrari."
Although he has not driven the F2007 and is not sure when exactly he will be able to put it through its paces for the first time, Raikkonen says he is impressed with what he has seen of the car and is eager to get up and running
"I've just seen the F2007 in the plant and it is very beautiful and it will be exciting to see it on the track tomorrow. In the year 2007 the car and the tyres will be different, but I have my way of working and I will adjust to new conditions.
"I already changed team, car and method, so I have some experience in this field. Here you work to the maximum but the climate is more relaxed. For me it is a perfect environment."
Raikkonen however was somewhat more coy on what his hopes are for the coming season, hinting that he believes both himself and the team will have the pace to challenge for the title this year.
"I can't wait to start the new season and I expect it to be a very challenging one, even though I think we are up for the Championship."
I made the right decision, insists Raikkonen.
Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari's annual pre-season event at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy [Pic credit: Ferrari media]
Kimi Raikkonen insists he made the right decision in choosing to switch from McLaren to Ferrar for 2007i, insisting he has been welcomed in a ‘warm hearted way' and that he is looking forward to getting his hands on the newly launched F2007.
Much has been made of Raikkonen's defection from McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher at Ferrari and although the Finn was not to be drawn on the comparisons of life at each team, he did admit to be enjoying his time with the Italian squad so far.
"I have been received here in a very nice way and I have a good feeling," he said. "It is nice to be with Ferrari and I do not want to make any comparisons to the past. It's a completely different story. Let's put it like this: In Maranello it is just as I expected it to be.
"Here everything is different to what I have seen until now in my career. This is a team that welcomed me in a very warm hearted way; I think I have made a good decision when I decided to come to Ferrari."
Although he has not driven the F2007 and is not sure when exactly he will be able to put it through its paces for the first time, Raikkonen says he is impressed with what he has seen of the car and is eager to get up and running
"I've just seen the F2007 in the plant and it is very beautiful and it will be exciting to see it on the track tomorrow. In the year 2007 the car and the tyres will be different, but I have my way of working and I will adjust to new conditions.
"I already changed team, car and method, so I have some experience in this field. Here you work to the maximum but the climate is more relaxed. For me it is a perfect environment."
Raikkonen however was somewhat more coy on what his hopes are for the coming season, hinting that he believes both himself and the team will have the pace to challenge for the title this year.
"I can't wait to start the new season and I expect it to be a very challenging one, even though I think we are up for the Championship."
