"Eternal optimism" by Heikki Kulta
Eternal optimism
24.9.2012 16:30, heikki.kulta
I'm sitting in the pleasantly air-conditioned Chang-airport in Singapore and killing time. The cell phone rings and Urheilulehti asks me a gallup-question if I still believe that Kimi Räikkönen can win this year's WDC.
As an eternal optimist I still believe that anything is possible in this sport. When Räikkönen climbed up from 3rd (17 points behind the lead) in the two last races in 2007, why couldn't he now climb up (45 points behind the lead) when there are still six races left.
It will get tough though. Ferrari didn't go backwards five years ago - on the contrary - unlike what has happened to Lotus-team's performance curve in the last 2-3 races.
Only a perfect success in Japan GP next week can turn the course for Räikkönen and Lotus. The team announced that the goal is to start the GP-weekend in Japan immediately with a strong car. If that happens, then the course could go back on track.
I have familiar buddies I can use to confirm my opinion.
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Eric Boullier said shortly that if weekends like Italy and Singapore continue, then Kimi doesn't have much chances to even fight for single victories, let alone the leading position in the WDC-serie.
– But if the new parts we bring to the car starting from Japan give the result we hope for, then nothing is impossible, Boullier emphasized smiling kindly. McLaren is the meter we have to get closer to. For Räikkönen's WDC-fight it isn't enough that Fernando Alonso is driving points from McLaren - not even that the Red Bulls drive points from Ferrari: Räikkönen has to finish the race before Alonso in all six races. It's the only way to close the gap.
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Danish Le Mans -legend Tom Kristensen whom I know very well, he was in Singapore enjoying the atmosphere before the crucial World Endurance Championship -races in Bahrain next weekend.
How do you see Räikkönen's chances in this WDC-battle?
– I see Kimi's chances in the WC-serie as good, but if you ask about his possibilities to win the WDC it's already much more difficult. If the results continue like in Monza and Singapore he can forget about the title, but if Japan and the races after that start to produce podiums, then he has at least a chance to fight for the WDC.
– From Kimi's perspective it's very, very difficult. He doesn't have the best car. Then again the same goes for Alonso also, he doesn't have the fastest car either at the moment.
– Fernando drives extremely well. I have never seen anyone in F1 who has done damage control as well as Alonso has done this season. It's the absolute top level when thinking of all car-series in the world.
– Lewis Hamilton was unfortunate in this race. I think his car's breaking had something to do with him touching the wall in qualification. It does afterall affect the gearbox.
– Kimi has however Alonso's skill to always score good points when climbing up outside the top 10. Now he got the 6th position. It's a trade of a fantastic driver. In a WC-battle this close he also has to be able to motivate his team and the team has to keep his spirit at the absolute top.
– Improving the car is however the most important thing. At this stage of the season it has an unexpectedly huge significane which could still change the situation. Suzuka might suit Lotus well and Kimi is a champion there, after that there are some more tricky places, but if the WDC-battle continues all the way to Interlagos, there Lotus will certainly be fast again.
– This has been a completely fantastic comeback-season for Kimi. It's the greatest when you have been away for long and can handle the job on a performance level like this. I predict that with these performances Kimi is a redhot name for Lotus, but he is also a redhot name in every top teams who think about their driver-matters, Kristensen said.
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Mika Salo/MTV3 and I pondered if Lotus-team's WDC-battle was taking off.
– Unfortunately it looks a bit like that. The car was once again damn slow and Kimi had no hope of getting in the lead's speed. McLaren and Ferrari are clearly faster than Lotus and even Ferrari, which in practice isn't one of the fastest, yet they are still ahead of Lotus.
– I'm sure it's not enough for Kimi to be in the top 3, although that alone is a really good achievement. It would be good for everybody if the first victory would come soon. If they bring something completely insane to Japan, the double-DRS bringing half a second or something like that, then they can fight again.
– But I am afraid that a wonder-gimmick like that would have been brought in ages ago if it would be that good, Salo thinks.
– Hopefully Kimi's spirit is enough. There are tracks where even that car goes fast, Salo says and we both nod to that.
Fonte: Turun Sanomat / Tradução para o Inglês: Nicole
Como sou grata a Heikki Kulta pelos textos que ele escreve. Ler estas coisas me dão a calma que eu preciso para visualizar perfeitamente o que pode ou não acontecer no restante do Mundial.
Estou com a opinião do Kristensen, as chances de Kimi são boas, mas as possibilidades de vencer são realmente difíceis.
O cara é piloto, uma das lendas da Endurance e sabe analisar as siuações sem floreios. Kimi está fazendo um excelente campeonato, mas não basta só isto, ele tem que vencer e chegar à frente de Alonso se quiser sonhar em ser campeão e vamos combinar, com o E20 e sua capacidade demonstrada nas últimas três corridas, fica difícil, como o próprio Boullier mencionou. Não é questão de não acreditar no piloto que eu torço, é questão de ver as coisas como elas são, para depois não ficar decepcionada.
Como eu disse no post abaixo, o que está acontecendo no momento vai além das minhas expectativas e sinceramente, o que vier já é lucro. Queria mesmo é ver Kimi vencer ainda este ano. Lá se vão 3 anos e a saudade que eu sinto do hino finlandês e de Kimi no primeiro lugar do pódio, só quem sente como eu, vai entender.
Mas aprendi a esperar. Tenho que entender que as coisas são vão acontecer se tiverem que acontecer. E até lá, vou curtindo o maravilhoso campeonato que Räikkönen vem fazendo.
Beijinhos, Ludy
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