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LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING FINISH: Raikkonen is predicting a close season, with the S'pore Grand Prix possibly playing a key role in who wins. -- PHOTO: AP
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BAD news for Ferrari fans.
Halfway through the season, Kimi Raikkonen is doubtful if Formula One's best-supported team can retain their drivers' and constructors' crowns.
The world champion told The Straits Times in an e-mail interview: 'I don't know if we can win the title again as we are not on our own out there, we are racing some very strong opposition.
'But we showed we are competitive at the highest level and I think that's the way it will be till the end of the year.'
His prediction of a close finish this season is not unfounded.
In recent years, it has been a duel between the Ferraris and McLarens, or Ferraris and Renaults. But BMW Sauber have now come to the fore and shown they are contenders for podium finishes too.
They have surprised many by occupying second spot (82 points) in the race for the constructors' title, ahead of McLaren (72) but behind Ferrari (96).
The race for the drivers' championship is even tighter. Raikkonen, teammate Felipe Massa and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton are tied at the top of the standings on 48 points after last Sunday's British Grand Prix.
BMW's Robert Kubica, last week's winner Hamilton and the two Ferrari aces have each held the outright lead at one stage.
Not since 1987 has the sport seen a four-way joust at the top - Nelson Piquet finally seeing off the challenges of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.
Raikkonen's bid for back-to-back titles has not been helped by some poor results in the last few races - most recently a fourth-placed finish last week.
That followed point-less displays in Monaco and Canada. He also had victory snatched away in France last month, after a late exhaust problem allowed Massa to pip him to the chequered flag.
But at least he can find solace in the fact that he is a joint-leader in the drivers' stakes. Last season, he was trailing till the last race.
The Finn, who is nicknamed The Iceman for his calm demeanour, is eager to reignite his season at next weekend's race in Hockenheim, Germany. 'What I am sure of is that we will give it our best shot to try and repeat the successes of 2007,' said the 29-year-old.
The memory of how he came from behind to win his maiden world championship last year, beating Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by a single point in the process, will be driving him on.
The inaugural SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, the 15th leg of the 18-race calendar, could also play a crucial role in the destination of this season's honours.
How well the teams and drivers fare will depend on how quickly they adapt to the Marina Bay street circuit and racing under floodlights for the first time.
With over two months to go before the Sept 28 race however, teams' preparations have yet to hit top gear.
Raikkonen said: 'We have not yet drawn up a special programme, partly because the exact timetable of the weekend was communicated to us only recently.'
For now, he is aiming to better Massa's performances in the next few races and be numero uno in the Italian outfit.
With both Ferrari drivers co-leading the championship, the team's management has yet to designate a No 1 driver. Once the decision is made, the team will throw all their resources behind the top man, and the No 2 will be expected to support his colleague in his quest to win the world title.
Raikkonen said: 'Both of us want to win. To do that, you have to beat the person who is alongside you in the pit garage. But we respect one another, we trust one another and are completely transparent in our dealings.'
limze@sph.com.sg
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