Kimi Raikkonen confident with Lotus’ race pace

After a highly competitive race three weeks ago in Bahrain, Kimi Raikkonen is confident with Lotus’ race pace ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. Throughout the weekend, Lotus have been tipped up and down the paddock for another competitive race this weekend, with the likes of Johnny Herbert even predicting a Lotus victory.

Entering only his fifth race after returning to the sport, Kimi Raikkonen had a golden opportunity to win the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, the ‘Iceman’ failed to pass Sebastian Vettel on track and therefore had to settle for 2nd place. Prior to the start of the weekends track action in Spain, Raikkonen was adamant that victory was all he was after this weekend. After qualifying, the former World Champion remains confident with the Enstone-based teams’ race pace.

“I think we had a chance to be in the top three but we’ve been fighting with the set-up quite a bit today.” Explained Kimi Raikkonen, who has won in Spain twice before. “A lot of small details will decide the race and the tyres are one aspect of course. Our long runs were promising yesterday, so we’re not looking too bad. Hopefully we [will] get a reasonable start and we can be up at the right end and go for it. I think we’ve got a good car and that’s the main thing.”

After Lewis Hamilton’s controversial grid penalty, the Lotus duo of Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen have subsequently locked-out the second row behind Maldonado and Alonso. Both drivers’ on the front row will have a cautious eye over their shoulder as the lights go out at the start of the race.

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