Kimi Raikkonen has said that he has unfinished business in Singapore after failing to finish on the podium during his last three visits.
The Finn also admitted that he will keep pushing for the remainder of the season, to end his Lotus career on a high after his return to Ferrari for 2014 was recently announced.
Raikkonen heads to the Singapore Grand Prix in hopeful spirits after two consecutive race weekend's outside of the points. He admits that it isn't good for his title challenge - with his chances now looking very slim - but both he and the team are pushing hard to end the year on a high.
Speaking in a team statement about his return to Ferrari he said: "Hopefully it means I won’t be asked so much where I’m driving next year, but maybe it means more questions. For my racing this season it doesn’t make any difference. I’ll keep pushing at every race to get the best result I can."
Discussing his previous track record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, he admits that he wants more and has unfinished business: "I really like going to Singapore. It’s a great place to be, I love the local food, and I don’t mind the unusual times we run in the car as it means I don’t have to get up so early."
He added: "I have some unfinished business after my three Grand Prix there so far, as I enjoy the circuit but have not yet had a podium. That doesn’t mean I'm not quick there as I've been told I still hold the lap record from 2008. I crashed while fighting for fifth place that year, finished down in tenth in 2009, and took sixth last season, so I want more this time."
The 'Iceman' is expecting the high downforce circuit to suit his car in comparison to the low downforce tracks of Spa and Monza: "After these two weekends with zero points it’s nice to get back to a circuit we expect to be more suited to our car. We seem to go better at high downforce circuits, that’s for sure. The car actually worked surprisingly well at Monza during the race so it was a shame we lost so much time at the start. After getting the new nose, our race pace was not too bad."
Meanwhile team-mate is looking forward to tackling the tight and twisty street circuit. When asked how challenging the track is he said: "It’s a fun layout to drive, with the last section being my favourite part of the track. It’s certainly a physical race, with lots of kerbs, some bumps on the track and frequent use of the brakes. It’s certainly not a circuit with a long straight where you can take a rest.
"The layout and the fact it’s a street course don’t make it easy for a driver or the engineers. It can be difficult to find the amount of grip you want so we have to work hard to get the set-up working well. There isn't much margin for mistakes as the walls are very close, but this does mean that there’s a great feeling when you get a good lap as it’s very special to be driving at the limit around a street course."
Despite the race being the longest of the season, Grosjean doesn't think it will be an issue: "Our regular fitness programme means that the race lasting longer than others should not be a problem, but something you have to prepare for in Singapore is ensuring you always keep well hydrated as the heat and humidity can easily dehydrate you."
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Raikkonen heads to the Singapore Grand Prix in hopeful spirits after two consecutive race weekend's outside of the points. He admits that it isn't good for his title challenge - with his chances now looking very slim - but both he and the team are pushing hard to end the year on a high.
Speaking in a team statement about his return to Ferrari he said: "Hopefully it means I won’t be asked so much where I’m driving next year, but maybe it means more questions. For my racing this season it doesn’t make any difference. I’ll keep pushing at every race to get the best result I can."
Discussing his previous track record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, he admits that he wants more and has unfinished business: "I really like going to Singapore. It’s a great place to be, I love the local food, and I don’t mind the unusual times we run in the car as it means I don’t have to get up so early."
He added: "I have some unfinished business after my three Grand Prix there so far, as I enjoy the circuit but have not yet had a podium. That doesn’t mean I'm not quick there as I've been told I still hold the lap record from 2008. I crashed while fighting for fifth place that year, finished down in tenth in 2009, and took sixth last season, so I want more this time."
The 'Iceman' is expecting the high downforce circuit to suit his car in comparison to the low downforce tracks of Spa and Monza: "After these two weekends with zero points it’s nice to get back to a circuit we expect to be more suited to our car. We seem to go better at high downforce circuits, that’s for sure. The car actually worked surprisingly well at Monza during the race so it was a shame we lost so much time at the start. After getting the new nose, our race pace was not too bad."
Meanwhile team-mate is looking forward to tackling the tight and twisty street circuit. When asked how challenging the track is he said: "It’s a fun layout to drive, with the last section being my favourite part of the track. It’s certainly a physical race, with lots of kerbs, some bumps on the track and frequent use of the brakes. It’s certainly not a circuit with a long straight where you can take a rest.
"The layout and the fact it’s a street course don’t make it easy for a driver or the engineers. It can be difficult to find the amount of grip you want so we have to work hard to get the set-up working well. There isn't much margin for mistakes as the walls are very close, but this does mean that there’s a great feeling when you get a good lap as it’s very special to be driving at the limit around a street course."
Despite the race being the longest of the season, Grosjean doesn't think it will be an issue: "Our regular fitness programme means that the race lasting longer than others should not be a problem, but something you have to prepare for in Singapore is ensuring you always keep well hydrated as the heat and humidity can easily dehydrate you."
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