Kimi Raikkonen believes that Lotus’ E20 can go quicker than it showed in testing and that the lap times of recent weeks were simply ‘OK’.
The Finn was asked in Melbourne if the good pace shown by Lotus in the first and final tests of pre-season was real or simply headline-grabbing and Raikkonen shrugged, saying there was more to find in the car. “We could probably have gone a bit faster if we wanted but I don’t know what the others are doing,” said the 2007 world champion.
“The car feels good, the lap time at least in testing was OK – whether it’s enough we will see over the weekend and over the next races, but so far it has been OK.” Of the car Raikkonen added that it largely felt similar to the machinery he left behind at the end of 2009, when he abandoned Formula One in favour of a tilt at the World Rally Championship.
“It [Formula One] really hasn’t changed a lot, the car feels pretty similar, the tyres are slightly different but I was expecting to have more difficulties with them but they seem pretty good, especially when they are new – but of course they will wear out a bit faster but it’s been nice to drive.”
The Finn said he is enjoying his return to Formula One and that his new team has been a key part of his comfort.
“I try to get things in the team how I know I like it and I’m very happy with the team, they’ve been great people to work with – easygoing, no real need to change anything,” he said. “If you like to do something differently, they’re happy to try to do it that way and it’s just been a good experience.”