LONDON: Kimi Raikkonen’s (pictured) hopes of boosting his challenge for the drivers world championship were encouraged this week with the news that his Lotus team are planning their biggest upgrade package of the year for next weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The 33-year-old Finn is currently 44 points behind. Vettel has 132 points ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari on 96 and Raikkonen on 88.
But with the introduction of their new improvements, he believes he can bounce back to form after struggling at the last two races on temporary tracks in Monaco and Montreal.
He said: “Silverstone is a more normal circuit and we’ve been OK at every other permanent circuit so far this year. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be back to the positions we should be with this package.”
Raikkonen was the victim of a collision with impetuous Mexican Sergio Perez of McLaren at the Monaco Grand Prix and then a disappointing weekend in Montreal at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Both of those circuits, however, are temporary constructions and Raikkonen and his team believe that a return to the traditional characteristics of permanent racing tracks like Silverstone will see them enjoy a return to form.
Lotus track operations director Alan Permane said: “We have a tighter, figure-hugging bodywork package which should give some benefit - - especially if the weather is quite cool at Silverstone. AFP
