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Sunday 1 September 2013

Raikkonen targets first Monza win

Kimi Raikkonen is hoping to avoid any issues next weekend in Monza as the Finn chases his first Italian Grand Prix win.
In a decade of racing in Italy, Raikkonen has never won the Italian Grand Prix with his best result being a runner-up finish in 2006 with McLaren.
And although the Lotus driver has two additional Monza podiums to his name, he has yet to have a perfect weekend.
"It's true that I have never won in Italy," he said. "For one reason or another things just haven't worked out for me, but it doesn't mean I can't drive the track.
"Just because I have not won at a circuit in the past it doesn't mean that I won't win or get a good result there in the future.
"It is true that I have previously had some very competitive weekends there - once or twice I have been close to the win - but something has always gone wrong.
"Hopefully we will have a real chance to fight for that victory this time."
The 33-year-old admits the high-speed Italian track is a different challenge to many of the others on the calendar especially as it needs a low downforce package which he says has not always been Lotus' strong suit.
"Monza always gives a great challenge. It's so different compared with the more modern circuits as the layout means the car needs to be set up differently.
"To go fast at Monza you need a car that is good aerodynamically, stable over the kerbs, and has a strong engine as we are using full throttle for most of the lap. I think we should be pretty good in those areas, but we won't know exactly how good until we get out on track.
"It's a unique circuit with the high speeds achieved there and everyone will be running the lowest level of downforce we see all year. Low downforce has not always been the best for our car, but the factory has been working hard to get more speed and stability for us with some changes to the car.
"Let's wait and see how the car goes on Friday morning and then we'll have a better idea of what can be achieved."

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