miércoles, 2 de mayo de 2007

Raikkonen upbeat with changes to the F2007

Even an off could not dent Kimi Raikkonen's bolstered mood after dominating the Barcelona test for a second day on Tuesday.

In a Spanish downpour, the 27-year-old huddled under a Marshals' awning following his light slide into the turn three tyre barrier - but a few minutes later greeted his Ferrari crew in the gravel trap with a rare smile.

So far this week, Raikkonen has broken Felipe Massa's record at the Catalan track, following a low-key showing last time out in Bahrain.

To reporters in the Barcelona paddock, he enthused about an apparent breakthrough with his car's set-up, aided by the aerodynamic update.

"The car feels good," Raikkonen is quoted as saying with his typical understatement and ennui. "It is now behaving more in the way I want it to."

"We have got a better understanding of the car, so I approach the race with a much better feeling than the other ones. I feel like I can use all of the car's potential now.
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"You never know what the others are doing but our car feels very good," Raikkonen went on.

"We will see what happens. A lot can change in a week but I feel much more in control. We have improved a lot since Bahrain, especially for me."

Despite failing to shine in Malaysia and Bahrain after winning in Australia, Raikkonen said he did not become downbeat because he jointly leads the drivers' championship.

He continued: "The championship began three races ago but the situation is very even and nothing has been won or lost yet."

Massa takes over the sole F2007 at Barcelona on Wednesday and Thursday.

Source