Raikkonen: Short wheelbase car suits my driving style

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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Kimi Raikkonen says he’s pleased to have switched back to the short wheelbase version of the Lotus as it suits his driving style better.

The team introduced a long wheelbase version of the E21 following the summer break but Raikkonen asked to go back to using the original version this weekend.

Raikkonen said the change chassis was part of the recent for him taking fifth on the grid in Abu Dhabi, his best qualifying performance since the German Grand Prix.

“For sure is part of it,” he told Sky, “It turns like I want it more and I can drive it more my style.”

“It seems to be working pretty well at least today so hopefully that’s going to stay like it is.”

Raikkonen added the car has been more too his liking in the cooler sessions at the Yas Marina circuit: “Not this morning, but apart from that yesterday second practice and today qualifying, not too bad.”

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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6 comments on “Raikkonen: Short wheelbase car suits my driving style”

  1. Welcome back Kimi.

    Wonder why Lotus abandoned SWB knowing Kimi suit it like honey and milk.

    Part of the reason Lotus change to LWB because SWB is too unstable and difficult to drive due to more front load. But kimi seems to like itchy car with better direction changes.

    1. Amazing though how all weekend Gro as still been the quicker driver, kudos to Kimi though he qualified well and Gro did not, that shows his champion quality, but i thought it was telling when asked who was a threat Horner aid Grosjean. I just still dont get how Rai gets outpaced by him lol, im sure you dont either. I never rated Gro but he has improved significantly.

      1. Forgot to say Kimi starts at back though becuase o illegal car.

  2. Only 1 position up from last race, but no Grosjean or Alonso ahead.

  3. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    2nd November 2013, 16:28

    25 points to overturn in 3 races (not 24 cause Alonso won twice). If he leaves tomorrow with that difference highly reduced (let’s say 12 points only), would he stick to his word and not run the lat 2 rounds, or would he try to show his next teammate what the things will be like next year? I guess he will try to grab 2nd place in the WDC. He doesn’t need the money. Even if Lotus don’t pay, it’s providing him with a car capable to get the job done. Let’s see the tyre strategy though.

    1. He doesn’t need the money.

      How do you know this? You are Kimi’s personal financial advisor now? We have no idea what Kimi’s expenses are per month, how many people he is employing or contracting with to provide him with personal and professional support, what charities he might be patronizing, family he might be assisting; even what his tax liabilities might be.

      Kimi is entitled to every euro that he is owed, and condescending to suggest that you know what monies he does or doesn’t need approaches the heights of arrogance for an F1 “fan”.

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