Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has predicted that Kimi Raikkonen will be back to his best next season.
"He will be back for sure," di Montezemolo says
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has predicted that Kimi Raikkonen will be back to his best next season after his problems during 2008.
The Finn's World Championship defence was hampered by difficulties with the set-up of his F2008 car - Raikkonen struggling in particular to generate grip in his front tyres during qualifying.
Without a win since the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of April, Raikkonen also suffered bad luck, with a broken exhaust costing him a probable victory in the French Grand Prix.
Di Montezemolo joked that, from that point on, Raikkonen had a "friend" deputising for him in the cockpit, his loss of form being such that questions were even asked whether he might be considering retirement.
His performances improved towards the end of the campaign - a contract extension being awarded at the Italian Grand Prix - with di Montezemolo predicting a 2007-vintage Raikkonen next year.
"I joke that we had Kimi until Magny Cours, then he was busy and he asked a friend of his to drive," he said.
"This friend was a very good driver. He put on Kimi's helmet, but now we finally have the proper Kimi back again.
"For a while he looked like a centre forward who wasn't scoring goals, but as soon as he did, you knew he would be okay again.
"We have spoken recently and I think he is very, very determined and in good form.
"Let's not forget that in his first year at Ferrari he was World Champion. He will be back for sure."
Alonso talk
The problems Raikkonen experienced last season sparked talk that Fernando Alonso might potentially join Ferrari.
Di Montezemolo conceded to being a fan of Alonso, but also insisted the Spaniard has no chance of driving for his team until 2011 at the earliest.
The contracts of both Raikkonen and team-mate Felipe Massa expire at the end of 2010.
"He's a fantastic driver, no question. I like him," di Montezemolo said of Alonso.
"Particularly in Japan he drove a great race. He's a champion and a team leader, but for the moment we don't have any problem with our current drivers.
"That is why we confirmed officially Massa and Kimi until the end of 2010.
"Life is long and in the future we will see, but for the moment we don't have any grey areas regarding drivers for the next two years."
