Kimi Raikkonen is targeting a return to the top step of the podium, but whilst he hopes to have a better second half of 2014, his focus already appears to be shifting to next season.
At the end of 2013 many in the paddock believed that the changes to the Formula One regulations would see Ferrari return to the front of the grid.
Alongside Mercedes, F1’s two power-house manufacturers should have been able to take full advantage of the engine regulations which had been set for a number of years and fully utilise their resources.
The anticipation levels really ramped up following the announcement that Kimi Raikkonen would be returning to the team where he claimed the 2007 Formula One World Championship to race alongside former two-time F1 title holder Fernando Alonso.
It showed a change in mindset for Ferrari, who have always had a clear number one driver and the combination of Kimi and Fernando should have seen end to that tactic.
But 34-year-old Raikkonen has struggled alongside Alonso this season.
Alonso is 88 points clear of Raikkonen in the drivers championship, with his 115 point tally over four-times more than the Finn.
But despite being outclassed Kimi insists that he has not lost his pace.
‘It’s been a hard first part of the year, I know I’ve not lost speed from last year, so it’s been disappointing to fight against the issues and problems we’ve had. Kimi told Sky Sports.
‘I hope the second part of the season will be much better than the first, but one slightly better day doesn’t change an awful lot.
‘We have to make big steps for next year, to keep improving things, and I know we have good plans, We just have to go step by step to improve the issues we have and hopefully we can put things in the right order for me to be happy all the time with the car. That will then allow the team and myself to progress to where I feel we should be and to try to win races.’
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