Raikkonen: We just need some better luck

Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen has endured more than his fair share of misfortune over recent weeks. From the chassis issues which blighted the team’s pre-season test programme to his gearbox penalty in Malaysia, Raikkonen has been dealt a pretty tough hand since returning to the sport.

But despite the disappointments, the Finn’s spirits remain undimmed. Confident in the E20’s potential, the 2007 world champion insists Lotus can compete with the frontrunners, once their luck improves and they finally enjoy a trouble-free race weekend.

“I think we’ve got off to an encouraging start,” he explained to the team’s official website. “It’s been frustrating sometimes with the chassis issues in testing, the qualifying mix-up in Australia and the gearbox change in Malaysia, but we’ve shown we can deal with any problems and come back stronger. The car feels good and we clearly have the pace to be at the front; we just need some better luck.”

After a two-year absence from the sport, Raikkonen has quickly settled back into Formula One racing and already feels comfortably at home at Lotus. And the 32 year-old believes the relaxed atmosphere at the Enstone based team is helping to bring out the best in him.

“It feels like I’ve never been away; the team has done a good job and I’m working well with them which makes things easier,” he continued. “It’s a different atmosphere to what I’ve experienced before; everyone is very open and laid-back but at the same time they work extremely hard and pay a lot of attention to detail. I feel comfortable here which helps me to focus on racing.”

Raikkonen will be back on track next week when the 2012 Formula 1 UBS Chinese Grand Prix gets underway at Shanghai on April 13.