Ferrari: Räikkönen confident, Alonso “very ambitious”
Kimi Räikkönen dismissed rumors that Ferrari's 2015 car is already in trouble. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso remained vague about his future but claims to have a "very ambitious" plan.
Tipped to stay in red next season, Kimi Räikkönen was keen to refute rumors of a delay on the part of Scuderia Ferrari regarding his car for the 2015 season.
While Fernando Alonso is reported to be leaving, the technical continuity between 2014 and 2015 should rest on the shoulders of Iceman. However, last week, information leaked claiming that the initial wind tunnel data for next season’s car is not good: indeed, it would produce less aerodynamic downforce than the F14-T.
When asked about these issues during the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Kimi Räikkönen was keen to refute them: « There are a lot of rumors in F1, but I have 100% confidence in the team, in the people who build the cars, and in all the mechanics, » explained the Finn to Autosport.
« People are always talking, but the problem is they are not the ones designing the car or in the wind tunnel. I’m sure we can have a good package. Good enough? Time will tell. But we have a lot of work to do. We have learned a lot from this season, and we don’t expect to lead the championship from the start and win all the races. But I’m sure we will make a leap forward and fight to improve things. »
He assures that the team knows its weaknesses: « We know where the problems are, and I know that people can make good decisions and correct the problems. There are certain limits to what we can do and what we cannot do, and obviously, this constrains us a little bit but obviously we will progress. »
On a more personal note, the 2007 World Champion stated he does not regret his return to Maranello despite a disappointing season: « Obviously, I made the right decision 100%. Of course, the results were not what I wanted or what the team wanted, but that’s how it is. We have made progress since the beginning. There have been better moments, but it’s not easy to fix certain issues and have exactly what you want. […] But I am happy to be here. For any place other than first, I prefer to be in a Ferrari than with another team. »
Alonso remains evasive
When asked about his future, which has yet to be made official while the most persistent rumor has him leaving Ferrari for McLaren-Honda in 2015, Fernando Alonso was, as usual, evasive in front of the press: « I can’t say anything categorically right now. There is a very ambitious plan in my mind for my future. I think it’s the best thing for Ferrari too. People will be very, very excited. I am extremely happy. Everything in the last two or three months has followed exactly the plan I have. Wait and you’ll know much more. You have to taste the dish before it’s cooked. »
