German Car Zone

Schumacher influence an effect on Raikkonen


A respected German newspaper has speculated that Kimi Raikkonen's struggle at Ferrari this year could have been worsened by a simple and very famous factor.

A writer for Die Welt reports that the former McLaren driver appears 'paralysed' every time the retired multiple world champion and team 'advisor' Michael Schumacher strolls into the garage wearing a red uniform.

Italy's authoritative sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport headlined its own story about the same issue by wondering if Raikkonen can be diagnosed with 'Schumi Syndrome'.

Raikkonen struggled to climb through the field in Monaco after a qualifying crash, and two weeks earlier was also outperformed by race winner Felipe Massa in Barcelona before a car failure.

At both events, Schumacher was present, and former champion and Ferrari driver Alain Prost is quoted as speculating that Raikkonen is 'still not completely integrated' within the Maranello team.

Another former Ferrari driver, Eddie Irvine, told the Irish broadcaster Setanta: "I don't know what it's all about but he's going to have to get his act together or stop drinking because if he's not winning he can't be drinking."

Source: Formula 1 : News RAIKKONEN - F1-Live.com

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@ Eddie Irvine's comment.

Not yet being fully integrated with the team can be a reason. But Kimi doesn't care about Schumi.
And why can't people just stop complaining about his drinking? Just can't understand why people keep doing it. And the Finnish alcohol culture is different to alot of other parts of the world.
And Massa didn't win his first race with Ferrari...

Quoted for the truth. And I might add. He is struggling with the bridgestone. Just like Alonso was strugling with McLaren. It's a new team and he has to get used to it. Shumy didn't just join ferrari and started winning all the races. It takes time.

The "kimi has to work harder" statement is a "no isht" statement. Of course he has to work harder. He has to work harder than Felipe does and he has to work harder than Alonso at McLaren. Why? Because the Scuderia Ferrari squad is a culture/family not a corporation type of business that McLaren/Mercedes is.

The tyres are an important factor too. They don't suit Kimi's driving style at all. But afterall it's his job to adjust. Maybe it's a bit too much adjusting to both a new team and tyres.

I still think that Kimi will be back, and I still see him above Massa.

For me a 100% Kimi can win both on wet or dry on any track as opposed to Massa who definately is a dry man and track picky.

I know Kimi will prevail but he needs to get his act together. Sure there is the "getting used to" factor but Alonso has also switched team but he has done fine. It is the drivers job to get used to a new car and tell the engineers and mechanics to adjust it the way they want it.

If Kimi doesn't get his act together soon it might get to late for him to compete for the title.

Massa also has a few weak circuits. Like Suzuka for example. Lucky for him, no Suzuka this year. Bad for me, love that track

Yeah I love Suzuka. The 130R is fantasic, well it was, ... 6G was reached there.
2005 was a terrific race, Alonso's overtaking of Schumacher and Kimi's overtaking of Fisi were simply awsome.

Ah ye, memories. Both were spectacular. Although, Kimi's took the prize in that race. As it got him the victory as was afterall the slightly nicer overtake. Damn, I want that DVD!

Me too.

It was a race worthy the golden eras, and those cars had the last V10 evolution pumping 950 to 1000 hp, the most powerful race trim engines ever.