Italian press slams Ferrari for using Raikkonen as a pawn
- Published on 18 Apr 2018 13:20
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Leading Italian journalists have slammed Ferrari for continuing to run a blatant 'number 2' driver policy. Pino Allievi, the leading correspondent for La Gazzetta dello Sport, said it is obvious that so far in 2018, Ferrari is using Kimi Raikkonen as a mere pawn. "With the pitstop, Ferrari 'used' Raikkonen to slow down Bottas and promote Vettel," he wrote.
Allievi said Ferrari's tactics in 2018 with regards to Raikkonen are particularly egregious. "For years we've criticised Raikkonen, but at the beginning of 2018, he is showing a different spirit and making us remember the champion. Ferrari should have noticed this too. Instead, Kimi is penalised through strategy and considered by the team as a mere support for Vettel. It's a mistake that cannot do other than affect the morale and the performance of the driver," Allievi continued.
Another top Italian journalist, Andrea Cremonesi, agrees: "With Raikkonen treated as such, I wonder how long the Ferrari team can remain in harmony."
After China, however, Raikkonen himself would not be drawn on the issue. "I don't know," said the Finn when asked about his race strategy. "I think the race was ok." (GMM)
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Replies (6)
Login to replyF1_IS_Dead
Posts: 123
What's the problem? Raikkonen is not a racing driver anymore. He stopped being one years ago when he signed a number two contract. Just look at him on track... he is completely fine and happy with his role. Ferrari does absolutely nothing wrong. A driver without ambitions should not be allowed to race and win. He should support Vettel until they replace him with another number two.
mpm001
Posts: 20
what a stupid analogy and response.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Raikkonen has been a pawn since he joined Ferrari and now they start complaining about it? Besides, that has been Ferrari's modus operandi for at least a couple of decades. It's embarrassing, it has caused me to lose total respect for Kimi. It has destroyed reputations of otherwise above average drivers like Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa. It has ruined otherwise very exciting races notably Austria 2002, Germany 2010. I find it to be a repugnant way of managing a team, but I'm not a Ferrari fan, so I guess ferraristas don't care.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Its in vogue with media to complain when its sorta too late.
dr002
Posts: 141
I've been recently critical of Raikkonen, but I have to give him credit, his performance this year has definitely stepped up quite a few notches over previous years, to the extent that he is - at the very least - matching Vettel, for whom I hold very little regard due to the very reasons being admonished by the Italian press.
Vettel's insistence and reliance on a team mate acting in a support capacity really is pathetic, particularly so early on in the season. What is best for the team, not Vettel, should matter most.
I agree that it is embarrassing for Kimi, but my lack of respect lies with Vettel and Ferrari.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Everybody wants to give Kimi a bad rap but considering that 8 of the last 10 championships have been dominated by just 2 drivers it's hard for other drivers to stand out. If you look at Kimi's history, he is incredibly consistent and typically after he is with a team 2-3 years the team starts winning, indicating he is good working with engineers to get the car to the place he needs it to be to win races. It's great to see him pushing and outpacing Vettel this year and it really felt like poetic justice to see VER and VET both spin as Kimi drove by for a podium. I for one hope that this year Kimi gets a run of good luck to compliment his top notch driving.