Kimi Raikkonen has called for patience as Ferrari's continued struggle to turn their season around was dealt a blow at the Turkish GP.
Ferrari ace confident that results will improve
Kimi Raikkonen has called for patience as Ferrari's continued struggle to turn their season around was dealt a blow at the Turkish GP.
Despite starting in the top six on the grid, Raikkonen failed to finish in the points as his F60 sorely lacked the race-pace needed to challenge at the front.
It was a disappointing outcome for the former world champion and his team as they had expected more after finishing on the podium at the previous race in Monaco.
"We definitely expected more from the Turkish GP and it doesn't make any sense to hide it. We knew that the situation would be complicated compared to the previous race at Monaco, but after the good qualifying we didn't think that the race would be so difficult," said Raikkonen.
"The start was decisive. At Istanbul, but also at Monaco, it makes it very difficult when you have to start from the dirty side of the track. And on both tracks the first corner is very close to the starting line, so we can't even exploit the advantage of the KERS there. I lost a position when the lights went out and another one in the first corner.
"During the duel with Alonso I touched his wheel with my front wing and damaged it, loosing downforce. We changed the nose during the pit stop, but it was too late to improve.
Improving
"If that hadn't happened maybe I would have gained a place in the points. We weren't fast enough in the race, not only compared to the Brawn GPs and Red Bulls, but also compared to the Williams and Toyotas, also due to the high temperatures."
The Finn, though, has called for patience, confident that Ferrari have the know-how needed to fight back from their early season disappointments.
"The team is continuing with its hard work improving the car and closing the gap to the leaders: the situation is much better in slow corners, where we are really competitive, while we're suffering in the fast ones," he said.
"We don't have any reason to give up, we just need patience; that's what I've said before the race at Istanbul. We do have the potential to achieve a good result, I know it.
"I hope that everything will work out at Silverstone, which is one of my preferred tracks. Ferrari has a good tradition in this race and it would be great to keep to that."
Raikkonen is currently tenth in the Drivers' standings on nine points while his team-mate Felipe Massa is eighth with 11.
