Disappointment
For Raikkonen
In Monaco

Kimi Raikkonen
Monaco Grand Prix: 8th + 1 Lap

Kimi Raikkonen could clame only one point in the World Championship, after finishing in a disappointing eighth place in the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo. Starting from 16th on the grid, Raikkonen was constantly held up by traffic, which combined with a lack of pace resulted in a most difficult race fot the Finn. This is what Kimi had to say:

"We knew we were facing an uphill battle and that’s how things turned out. I got a good start, quickly moving up to twelfth, but from then on I was nearly always in traffic, never getting any chance to overtake. I never had a clear track ahead of me and it was only thanks to the strategy that I was able to make up some more places and get into the points, but I couldn’t do any better. Obviously the situation in the classification is now a bit more complicated but there is still a long way to go in the championship and I am not the sort to give up."

Raikkonen stays fourth in the Drivers' Championship, but is now fifteen points behind leader Fernando Alonso. It is understandable that Kimi had difficulty in Monaco. Being stuck behind both Jenson Button and Nick Heidfeld for a substantial amount of time was devastating to the Finn's race. A one stop strategy at any other track would have meant at least a top five finish. However, this is Monaco and passing is almost impossible.

Still, last year's race saw Michael Schumacher come from 22nd and last place to finish fifth. On his way, he also set the fastest lap of the race. Raikkonen did not set the fastest lap and could only finish eighth. Is this a commentary on Kimi's pace or was it down to the car?

There is no doubt that the F2007 struggled in Monaco. The car's longer wheelbase meant that it simply could not keep up with the McLaren. Raikkonen however was nowhere near the McLaren racers and was battling inferior Honda and BMW machines. Monaco is not a fair test of Kimi Raikkonen's ability in this case. He must though raise his game in Canada, or suffer greatly in both the Championship and the hearts of the Tifosi.