Kimi Raikkonen says he does not need to be given homework.
Refusing so far to sign the 2016 ’option’ in the Finn’s current contract, Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene left Monaco insisting Raikkonen must improve.
"So I give him homework — to write a hundred times ’I must do better in qualifying’," the charismatic Italian joked.
Raikkonen, however, did not laugh when asked by reporters in Canada about the comments.
"There’s nothing new," Finnish reports quote the 2007 world champion as responding. "I know already where we need to improve and do not need to be told."
Former F1 driver David Coulthard, once Raikkonen’s teammate at McLaren, agrees that the 35-year-old is well aware of the areas to improve.
"Just like all the experienced drivers, Kimi is the first to admit that when you haven’t optimised qualifying, it’s difficult to get the most out of Sundays as well," he told Turun Sanomat newspaper.
The driver most strongly linked with Raikkonen’s Ferrari seat has been fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas.
But also increasingly mentioned on the paddock grapevine is Daniel Ricciardo, the currently frustrated top Red Bull driver.
Asked about that, Red Bull boss Christian Horner told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "That will not be possible, as Daniel has a long-term contract with us."