When Kimi Raikkonen left Formula1 in 2009
despite having a contract, which made him among the highest paid sports person,
with Ferrari to drive in the 2010 season, it was speculated that he had lost
his passion- the money had gotten to his head. He returned in 2012, having
spent two years in the relative wilderness of the World Rally Championship, and
signed with the newly formed Lotus F1 team. And what a return it was- driving
his way to 3rd in the Driver’s Championship.
This season has been no different- the Finn has been in scintillating form and with 85 points is currently just 4 points off the leader Sebastian Vettel, with 1 win and 4 podium finishes from 5 races so far this season. ‘The Iceman’, as he likes to be called, looks to be back to his best.
Having won the season opener in Australia,
he seemed to falter in Malaysia where he finished 7th after being penalized 3
places at the starting grid thanks to a penalty for blocking Mercedes' Nico
Rosberg. Then, however, it was business as usual as he finished 2nd
in three consecutive races at China, Bahrain and Spain, keeping him within
touching distance of the Championship leader Vettel. Thanks largely to his
efforts, Lotus are now 3rd in the Constructor’s Championship with
111 points.
With the next round of the
Formula1 season due to take place this weekend on 26th May, 2013, the 72nd Monaco
Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race with the emphasis on securing pole
position rather than overtaking or tires. The major problem for Lotus so far,
despite their good performances in the races, has been their qualifying pace,
and it may well work against Kimi on Saturday. Monaco, with its tube-like
circuit, is unique because drivers are hemmed in on pencil-thin streets
and have to concentrate for nearly two hours to avoid crashing into walls
or getting spun off track by debris and gravel, and overtaking is almost
impossible.
In the last 10 years, only Lewis
Hamilton, five years ago, and Juan Pablo Montoya, 10 years ago, have won
not starting from pole. Even when Raikkonen won in 2005, a win he “ranks
up there with my most memorable”, he led from the front. This season,
his superb tactical sense, coupled with smart management of Pirelli’s
vulnerable tires, has helped him stay in touch with Vettel. It remains to
be seen if The Iceman will come good once again against all odds.
