Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he has "nothing to lose" as the championship battle reaches its climax.
Finn hoping that level playing field of Fuji can help him close the gap
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he has "nothing to lose" as the championship battle reaches its climax.
Fuji Speedway hosts this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, with drivers very much heading into the unknown on a circuit which last hosted a grand prix in 1977.
Races in China and Brazil follow, and there is every chance that the battle for the drivers' title will go down to the wire at Interlagos.
Raikkonen is hoping to still be in the hunt by then, but he must rely on Ferrari being as dominant in the Far East as they were last time out in Belgium.
Adrift
A one-two Ferrari finish at Spa spearheaded by Raikkonen has left him13 points adrift of championship leader Lewis Hamilton, whose McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso is only two points behind.
And Raikkonen knows that both he and his team cannot put a foot wrong between now and season's end.
"I'll face this race like I faced the ones before, which means I want to win," he said in Japan. "We're behind, so actually we don't have any other choice.
"But it's difficult to tell who might have an advantage here. We know McLaren will be very strong, but they know we will be too.
"We'll just try to go on riding the wave of the one-two-win at Spa.
"The two McLarens are still well ahead and obviously they don't want to make any stupid mistake.
"I have nothing to lose, but they have to be very careful."
Leveller
Fuji is certain to be a great leveller as a great many of the drivers have never even seen the circuit, let alone driven it.
But Raikkonen is confident he will quickly take to the track, adding: "I've only seen it in the papers.
"I have read that our car would not adapt perfectly to this kind of track, but I know our team has worked very hard, so we can be competitive during the weekend.
"I know some drivers have prepared themselves for this race using simulators, but to be honest, that's something I don't like.
"I've never played with a PlayStation and never used simulators, and I don't think my performance has suffered.
"I've always been able to get to know a new race track very fast. This hasn't changed since I've been racing in Formula One.
"With three hours of free practice on Friday and one on Saturday, I don't think there will be any problems in qualifying."
