Kimi Raikkonen insists Ferrari's disastrous start to the 2009 season is down to a lack of pace, not a lack of effort.
Ferrari hoping to improve F60 car in time for Spain Grand Prix
Kimi Raikkonen insists Ferrari's disastrous start to the 2009 season is not down to a lack of motivation.
The Scuderia are experiencing their worst start to campaign since 1980 having yet to register a point in any of the three races this year.
Raikkonen trailed in 10th in the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, while team-mate Felipe Massa faired even worse, failing to finish due to technical issues.
The Finn is adamant the issue is the lack of pace in the F60 car, rather than any of the members of the team not trying their best.
"It's nothing to do with motivation," he told
Autosport. "Unfortunately we are not fast enough.
"It's not about people's motivation or that we don't try the best we can. But it will take a little while. It will not happen overnight."
Target
The former world champion is hoping for improvements by the time the season reaches Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10.
"We know that once we get to Barcelona we should take a step with the car. Hopefully it will improve the situation and it has nothing to do with people not trying to do their best.
"But it's not an easy sport to catch up and sometimes when you don't have what you want it just seems to be very difficult and everything seems to be against you.
"It's hard to get out of it, but like I said it takes a while and we need to get through that period and I'm sure that we are gong to be in a position to challenge. I don't know when, but hopefully sooner than later."
