Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has backed Kimi Raikkonen toshow his value as a ‘champion’ by helping the Maranello team claim the
title this year.
With Raikkonen’s championship chances this year being all but ended
by his crash in Singapore, the Finn must now play a supporting role to
teammate Felipe Massa.
And although Raikkonen has failed to score any points since the
Hungarian Grand Prix, di Montezemolo is sure that the reigning champion
will deliver at his best in the final three races of the year
"I’m sure Kimi has understood this moment," di Montezemolo was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Besides, he is not a rookie nor a former star: we are talking about
the reigning world champion, a driver who, despite a broken exhaust in
Magny-Cours, did an extraordinary race. Massa told me that without that
problem he would never have beaten him.
"He went quick at Spa too, but was unlucky when running off in a
section where there was no run-off. By contrast Hamilton went off but
was able to rejoin.
"On top of that Kimi is brave and always works for the team. In the
last three races he’ll have to demonstrate to everyone the effects of
being a champion by helping the team and Massa. It’s clear we need him
at 100 percent."
Di Montezemolo has also not calmed down in his criticisms of the Singapore Grand Prix – which he claims deserves no place in F1.
"On Sunday in front of the TV I felt like I was at Disneyworld," he
said. "Let’s hope that at Singapore in 2009 they’ll do fashion
catwalks, Disney parades, or something else.
"But certainly not F1. If this is the future of racing, we are sorted… I didn’t like Valencia, we’ll make ourselves be heard."
*laughs*
He hasn’t calmed down about Singapore indeed. If it was a circus as he
said last time, then Ferrari sure made it a funny one with their
pitstop act! It’s slightely satisfying that Di Montezemolo has
mentioned Kimi’s performance at the French Grand Prix – it was a race
where you saw a champion drive. Kimi may not win the title this year,
and has more bad weekends than good, but he definately has some moments
to be proud of. I certainly am. We adore you Kimi, we admire you, we
salute you!
And do you guys remember the credits at the end of the Brazil 2007 highlights video?
"…and thank you to Kimi – from your fans who have enjoyed every
season with you, supporting you no matter what. Through the highs and
lows, keep flying Kimi!". It’s also somewhat emotional to see the
podium ceremony in Brazil, where Massa receives his trophy and Kimi
gives him a pat on the back. He doesn’t usually do this with his
rivals, but he really meant it that day. Massa really wanted to win his
home race, very much so. But as he said in the press conference "of
course I’m happy for the team, for Kimi. Unfortunately I wanted to win
the race in Brazil, but I’m happy to help the team win the
championships." And Kimi gives him another pat on the back. We all were
so happy and we really appreciated Massa’s contribution that day,
there’s no doubt about it. This year though, it’ll be Kimi who’ll earn
that comforting pat on the back too if Massa manages to outscore
Hamilton. I hope Kimi will be on the podium when the championship is
over. In that way he can pass his crown to Massa, in a metaphorical
presence. I’d actually prefer Kimi to win that race, as it would be the
perfect poectic justice in the end. If Massa fails to charge back at
Hamilton and the McLaren driver takes the crown, then I suppose McLaren
would also call it justice to them for what happened last year, now
that it was Ferrari who made the mistakes and lost the championships.
Either way, it’s Kimi who’ll be losing the crown. It makes no
difference to us. We’ll be standing next to him that day.
FUCK ISRAEL 
Yah, I also noticed the rare gesture when Kimi patted Massa on the back, obviously as a big sign of "thank you" because it’s not in Kimi’s nature to show too much emotion on the podium or at the post race interviews.
I’m not too sure about Luca the President…I’m in two minds about him, but admittedly, we don’t get too much press coverage about F1 downunder, so all I know about him is what I’ve read when he makes any comments on Kimi.
I still maintain that Kimi can only do so much to "help" Massa. Of course, Massa must score his own points and just like last year, he only "helped" Kimi in the final race.
As I commented earlier in response to Kimi’s column, despite what Luca has said, I secretly wish Massa won’t achieve his dream just to show Kimi as the better driver. But if he does, then good on Ferrari!
This might come across as a selfish attitude, but I’m purely a Kimi fan and all the other drivers are merely blips in my radar!
LikeLike
Hi, Saima, your words in these difficult days, makes me feel better and encouraged. I really hope Kimi can see them.
LikeLike
Hi Saima, your words indeed make us all happy but I wouldn’t be too happy watching Kimi getting pat on the back by an undeserving champion, I say underserving because it is Hamilton and Massa fighting amongst each other because Kimi simply has not been even 60% of this strengths this year… you don’t call someone an opponent when he’s fighting to keep his car on the track because it doesn’t behave according to its master. These people know that when Kimi it at his best, they don’t have any chance so they take this opportunity to disgrace the man who is the king of F1…. everyone seem to gather and disgrace Kimi because he left them bitter when he beat the crap out of everyone when he was firing all cylinders last year, not even that so called best qualifier in F1 could do a thing about it. I have a question for Massa, where was he last year when Kimi was out qualifying him and out racing him in second half of the year…
LikeLike
Sorry, I mean’t a pat on the back from the Ferrari team, not Massa 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful words, Saima! We will be with Kimi no matter what.
*hugs*
LikeLike
Have to admit that the comments about it all being a circus were just too funny when it was indeed his team that made it look so. He should be looking inwards at what his team can do make things right. As to who will win the WDC, I can’t make up my mind who I can handle taking on the mantle. Both the Hamster and Massa are hard to take, it would be nice to see Kubica slip up there and take it away…if only. Evenstar, once again lovely words and oh so true. All of us are there for Kimi no matter what. I too would so love to see him up there on the podium when the championship is decided. I truly believe that he is a gracious winner and loser, and would be a fine ambassador to show true sportsmanship no matter who wins.
LikeLike
I agree with Blackcat, Ferrari should look inward and try to make things right rather than blaming other people or the track. But I have to say that some parts of the Singapore track was not really designed properly for racing the F1 cars (the high kurbs in some of the cornors, the exit and entry to the pittlane, the escape routes and facility for clearing up the track after a crash….). My guess is this is the first time in Sinagpore and it’s a new track, so maybe just lack of experience. I’m sure they will be able to improve for next year.
It’s been a long week since Singapore….now I’m looking forward to Japan, looking forward to see Kimi Flying and Smiling again!!!
LikeLike