Raikkonen: Happy for myself and for Ferrari

2017 Monaco Grand Prix

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Kimi Raikkonen says he is happy for himself and for Ferrari after he secured his first pole for the Scuderia since 2008.

Raikkonen produced a strong performance throughout qualifying and took pole from team mate Sebastian Vettel by less than half a tenth.

“Obviously it’s the best place to start for tomorrow, but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” says Raikkonen. “Nevertheless, I’ll happily take it.”

The front-row lockout comes after Ferrari showed strong pace all weekend compared with Mercedes and puts Raikkonen in a strong position ahead of tomorrow’s Monaco Grand Prix.

“It’s been quite okay all weekend,” continues Raikkonen. “Been struggling a little bit in places. In qualifying it was better. It was by no means perfect, but I think it’s never going to be perfect. It was good enough and I was very happy with the car.

“If you look, you can always go a bit faster here or there, but that’s normal. It’s a never-ending story like that. But things worked well with good timing when we went out and I felt good so I was able to push and it was quite nice, straight-foward qualifying. So I’m happy for myself, happy for the team and obviously we have two cars at the front tomorrow so let’s try to make the best out of it.”

2017 Monaco Grand Prix

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    Will Wood
    Will has been a RaceFans contributor since 2012 during which time he has covered F1 test sessions, launch events and interviewed drivers. He mainly...

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    11 comments on “Raikkonen: Happy for myself and for Ferrari”

    1. I am glad he did improve on his time unlike in Sochi and Spain. I hope this will be able to continue for Kimi and put more pressure on Vettel. He can still come back in this title race; Vettel can start having some bad luck, so far he hasn’t unlike Lewis, Kimi and Valterri.

      1. Lewis creates his own problems in his head

    2. Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
      27th May 2017, 16:14

      The old Kimi made a rare appearance, fantastic to see. I hope they give him fair treatment tomorrow. I’m sure he will turn up at Spa as well.

    3. Advantage is that the run up to turn 1 isn’t that long compared to Russia so that Bottas can’t use the Mercs power to blow past.

      Please please please no crying children tomorrow.

      1. Hopefully tears of joy for a Raikkonen Vettel 1-2 tomorrow.

        1. MG421982 (@)
          27th May 2017, 18:46

          +1

      2. MG421982 (@)
        27th May 2017, 18:48

        @ Ruben: in Russia both Ferraris had a mediocre start… that was the main reason BOT passed both before 1st corner. Or, if you want, BOT had a better start than both Ferraris.

      3. Please please please no crying children tomorrow.

        I don’t think Lance Stroll is prone to crying.
        Crashing, yes.
        Crying, no.

    4. Congratulations to Kimi. Well deserved and glad to see this. Hope the race goes well too. Monaco is where you most need pole, so there you go.

      Awesome turn of events for Ferrari. Changing of the guard moment.

      The top three, so close. Wonder if 1/2 of 1/10 second is a record?

      ——-
      Dear Leigh Diffey (US broadcast), please lose “The Iceman!!!”. It is old and tired, especially when repeated over and and over and over… Thank you.

    5. Great to see a vintage Raikkonen performance again. With Lewis back in the midfield hopefully there will no shady antics from Ferrari tomorrow.

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