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Can Ferrari close the Mercedes gap?
One must remember, prior to judging Raikkonen’s race speed, that he has already secured 2 fastest lap records this season, at Canada and Bahrain.
Surely, he must do himself a grand favor and lift the spirits of the team garage by improving on his speed charts during qualifying, a constant reminder for Kimi's 2015 struggles. When Raikkonen claimed third at the 2015 Bahrain Grand Prix, many would have pinched themselves in sheer disbelief.
It seems that Raikkonen, for reasons best known to himself, just doesn't seem to do a great job in the final practice session for qualifying, an intricate battle that instantly makes or breaks fortunes for drivers competing on Sundays.
The Finn didn't just give the Mercedes of Hamilton and Rosberg company at Bahrain by bringing his Ferrari into contention by finishing in top 3 at qualifying, he further sprung into action by finishing second on the podium. By all racing standards, Kimi's speed was phenomenal and his concentration powers seminal in lifting Ferrari's spirits.
But what could have easily laid the ground work for a mega Raikkonen show in the upcoming races at Spain, China, Austria and Britain proved just the opposite.
Low on luck, but not on speed
An analysis of the driving styles of all present Formula One drivers has shown that Alonso, Hamilton and Vettel concede the least errors. Raikkonen, whose speed is his constant companion is a master of maneuvering tricky racing conditions, applying minimalistic risks to his style.
In 2015, whilst he is well ahead of where he was back in the poor and highly forgettable 2014 season, Raikkonen has also had disastrous finishes. While he lost speed with poor tyre degradation at Great Britain and had to contend with 8th at race finish, Alonso, who crashed at lap 2 at Austria at the Red Bull Ring only worsened Kimi's race fortunes.
Alonso's poor demonstration of car handling resulted in him crashing into the rear of Raikkonen’s vehicle, ultimately toppling his Ferrari.
This ended Raikkonen’s chances of a great race finish, something he could have delivered especially considering his quick pace during qualifying. Disappointment further loomed large on F1's Iceman when he could not finish at the Hungaroring.
What happened in Hungary?
Perhaps getting the greatest start to his reinstated Ferrari career since making a comeback in 2014, Raikkonen started the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix in 5th.
Raikkonen was going steady during the final stages of the race and still looking poised to secure a 2nd place podium finish before an Engine Recovery System failure paralyzed his Ferrari's speed. He ultimately retired from the race.
What lies ahead
Despite some consistent heartbreaks marked by poor luck and persistent pit stop troubles, the Iceman remains very quick. He is only going to emerge stronger as he truly has in the past in his bid to help the Prancing Horse close in the gap to leaders Mercedes.
What may happen cannot be quoted by baseless predictions, but in a bid to secure his own seat and to emerge at the top of his game, there may not be a driver out there as hungry and driven as Raikkonen to prove that he is still the Iceman we all are used to watching in pure awe.
For the time being, let's leave him alone. He knows what he is doing.
