Horner: Kimi a factor in championship

Source: espnf1.com

Christian Horner believes Kimi Raikkonen is a factor in the championship after the Finn closed in on Red Bull’s driver pairing in the standings at the last two races.

Raikkonen has scored three podiums from four races heading into the summer break and is now fifth in the drivers’ championship, 48 points behind championship leader Fernando Alonso. With Lotus’ form improving over recent races, Horner said he would take the team’s championship challenge seriously in the second half of the season.

“They are a factor and their car has been quick all year,” he said. “They’ve got two good drivers and Kimi for sure is a factor in the drivers’ championship, I think he’s only one point behind Lewis [Hamilton]. As I said from race two, it would be foolish to underestimate any of our rivals at the moment. There’s still a long way to go.”