Friday, June 13, 2008

Raikkonen slams Hamilton again - NEWS

Wednesday 11th June 2008

Kimi Raikkonen believes Lewis Hamilton fully deserves his 10-place grid penalty for the French Grand Prix after disputing the McLaren star's take on events in Canada.

Raikkonen still remains stunned at what unfolded during Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal when Hamilton crashed into the back of the Finn's stationary Ferrari at the end of the pit lane.

Reigning world champion Raikkonen, along with eventual race winner Robert Kubica in his BMW Sauber, had both stopped for a red light as the pit lane was closed due to a safety car on track.

Hamilton, emerging from his own pit stop, claims he saw the red light too late and was unable to avoid driving into the back of Raikkonen's car, sending them both out of the race.

But a doubtful Raikkonen said: "I can't believe somebody can hit you when you are standing in front of a red light and side by side with another car.

"I can't believe he did not see the red light, and more than that, the two stationary cars. He knows there was a red light. Accidents happen, but not with two cars that have stopped.

"I was ready to fight and try to beat Kubica after the red light, but that never happened. Instead, along came Hamilton and our race was over.

"I was not angry. Just disappointed, surprised and frustrated at the same time."

Following the race, stewards swiftly hammered Hamilton, with the penalty ensuring the 23-year-old will now start outside the top 10 for the first time in his Formula One career.

"I think Hamilton deserves his penalty," insisted Raikkonen.

"He loses 10 places for the next race in France, and at least it is not going to make things any easier for him."

Raikkonen has now failed to score in the last two races after his own accident in Monaco over a fortnight ago when he ploughed into the back of Adrian Sutil's Force India.

It means the 28-year-old trails new championship leader Kubica by seven points, with Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa three points ahead.

At this stage, Raikkonen is unconcerned by Kubica, believing Massa and Hamilton still represent his main title rivals.

"We lost a good result in Canada," added Raikkonen.

"The car was very strong on speed, and I felt we could have won, or at worst, been second. Now, after seven races, we have had two bad results in a row, something nobody could have predicted.

"Obviously, our position is not that strong any more, but it's not the end of the world. We have not lost that much.

"I'm still fourth in the championship, the same position as last year, and like then, there is still a long season ahead of us.

"I'm just glad Kubica won - and congratulations to him. For me, it was better he got the 10 points rather than my main rivals who are now just three points ahead of me.

"BMW has been there and scored points all the time and they now have a nice lead, but I'm not worried about that. Although if they keep scoring every race then it won't be that easy to catch them in the championship.

"But we've a very strong feeling about our car, and we will win again soon."

No comments: