Kimi Raikkonen says ‘I don’t expect miracles’ from the engine upgrade brought by Ferrari to this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, but the Finn says it should be “a step forward”.
The Scuderia has reportedly spent another three development tokens for a new spec of turbo in a bid to finally kick start its 2016 campaign following a disappointing opening third.
While Ferrari started the season as Mercedes’ nearest rivals and almost took victory in Australia, the Italian team has fallen behind Red Bull in the pecking order across recent races.
“We fully exploit what we have all the time, but this is a step forward,” Raikkonen said of the new power unit in Thursday’s FIA press conference.
“How much of a step it is, time will tell. It is a new part, we would never put a new part on if we didn’t think it could improve us.
“I wouldn’t expect miracles but it is definitely the right direction. It is something we have been waiting for a while but it is like all the new parts we bring, not something magic, a very normal working progress as a team.”
Despite coming off a disappointing performance in Monaco, Raikkonen has been more competitive this year compared to last season.
This has not prevented his name from appearing once again on the rumour mill of the F1 silly season, with the 2007 world champion’s Ferrari contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Raikkonen is keen to extend his Maranello spell but admits to having no idea about the timeframe of the final decision.
“I don’t know any more, you guys [the media] seem to know more every week about this and that. It is not my decision in the end and I’ve always said I am happy to be here and I hope I will be here with Ferrari to get where we want to be as a team. What happens in the future we will see.”
Romain Grosjean column: Racing on two wheels
Chris Medland’s 2016 Canadian Grand Prix preview
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