Zoom Raikkonen has his own approach

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has fended off claims that World Champion Kimi Raikkonen's cool approach to Formula One has finally caught up with him.

In the eight races since his last victory at Barcelona, the 28-year-old Finn has added just 28 points to his championship tally -- little more than half the number achieved by chief title contenders Felipe Massa, who drives an identical F2008, and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

Exploring the possible reasons for his performance struggle at present, the major German newspaper Bild claims that while Massa prepared for Valencia in a simulator, fellow Ferrari driver Raikkonen enjoyed three consecutive nights out with friends at Ibiza.

"Kimi goes flat-out only at night," the newspaper headlined.

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali this week told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have never forced matters of a personal nature with him. "

"I don't think his way of preparing for a Grand Prix has anything to do with the current situation," the Italian added.

Domenicali also would not be drawn on the latest suggestions that, irrespective of Raikkonen's personal plans for the future, Ferrari may be moved to replace him sooner or later.

"His contract expires only at the end of next year," the team boss insisted. "So we do not have any hurry to decide. Right now we are concentrated on the title."

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM