Kimi: “If anybody doesn’t like it, they can always do something else”

From itv-f1.com

Kimi Raikkonen has become the latest driver to join the debate about the possible dangers of racing without traction control in the rain – dismissing suggestions that it will create an additional risk.

The 2008 pre-season has so far been dominated by discussion about the affect the ban is likely to have in treacherous track conditions, with drivers including David Coulthard, Felipe Massa and Jenson Button highlighting potential safety concerns.

But the world champion has joined the band of drivers to publicly state a different opinion, with the Finn having some blunt words for those who have expressed fears.

“For me it’s not [more dangerous],” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“And if anybody doesn’t like it they can always go and do something else.”

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Raikkonen Upbeat on F2008
From eurosport.com

Kimi Raikkonen has warned his Formula One title rivals Ferrari are firmly on track to deliver a championship-defending car.

Raikkonen was eighth-quickest at the end of a third day of testing at Jerez behind the Toyota of Timo Glock and the world champion is delighted with the way things have gone.

"Overall we’re happy with how everything has gone. The first impression is good. There is a good feeling in the car, but we can improve in many areas. There’s certainly more to come," he said.

"Although the car already feels good, this is not the final spec. We’re getting more new parts, and once we get the final car, it’s going to be very good.

"We will obviously have to wait to see what the others are doing, but I think we are already in a good position.

"We’ve improved on the areas we wanted to from last year, and so far everything is running well. Hopefully we will keep going in that direction.

"As for winning the title again, you never know what is going to happen, but we should have a good package, so at least we’ll have a chance."

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Kimi Dismisses Early Renault Form
From duemotori.com

Reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen remained sceptical on Wednesday as the paddock mused Renault’s apparent return to top form at Jerez.

On Tuesday, on the only thoroughly dry day of running at the Spanish group test this week, 26-year-old Alonso led the field in the R27, which in the hands of Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen in 2007 was not a race winner.

On Wednesday, he was third; a couple of tenths adrift of his former McLaren teammate, Lewis Hamilton.

"We’ll see what happens in the races," Raikkonen, at the circuit to test Ferrari’s 2008 car, said.

"I don’t think they have improved so much suddenly after last season with the old car, but let’s wait and see," the Finn added.