adminBAHRAIN. — Buoyed by a revitalised driver pairing and a much-improved power unit, Ferrari have breathed new life into Formula One’s world championship battle this year – and appear ready to make it stick. The Italian team, which ended a two-year win drought when Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix, saw the “ice man” Kimi Raikkonen roll back the years on Sunday with a resurgent second place behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
This form has lifted them into a strong second place in the constructors’ championship behind champions Mercedes and set up the prospect of a thrilling title fight as the series heads back to Europe next month for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Finn Raikkonen (35) who won the championship with Ferrari in 2007, has rekindled his own form and blended with new boy, four-time champion Vettel this season.
And, for many observers, including Ferrari team chief Maurizio Arrivabene, he is showing the performance levels that will lead to him earning a new contract with the scarlet scuderia.
But talk of Ferrari catching and passing Mercedes in overall performance on a consistent basis may well be premature.
“I’m very happy with the team and I think many people didn’t expect, after last year, that we would be in this position this early,” said Raikkonen — AFP.
Online Reporter