"Traditionally the Interlagos
circuit has always been
favourable to Ferrari and we
really hope that this will
be true also this year,
although we know that it
will be difficult," says
Kimi Raikkonen ahead of this
weekend's Brazilian Grand
Prix at Interlagos. "The
crucial point will be the
aerodynamic downforce, but
at the same time it’s
important to have a stable
car while braking. The last
corner is very important,
because it leads onto the
long uphill straight leading
to the main straight: the
KERS should help us a lot
there.
"There’s no
doubt that this track is
connected to the most
wonderful memory of my
career. Two years ago I won
the drivers’ title here in
Brazil, but I did well many
more times, gaining five
times a place on the podium.
Usually Brazil is the last
race on the calendar, but
this year we’ve one more,
the one in Abu Dhabi. I
really like the classic
circuits like Spa and Suzuka.
Maybe Interlagos is not as
technical like the other
two, but it’s very demanding
nevertheless. We’re driving
anti-clockwise, which is not
very common and the weather
conditions can change in a
second.
"My goal is
to gain a place on the
podium, which might not be
easy. Every race things are
more and more difficult for
us, because the other teams
continue improving their
cars, while we have been
using the same car for a
couple of months. We have to
be perfect and benefit from
eventual weak moments of our
competitors.
"I’ll
celebrate my 30th birthday
on Saturday. A place on the
podium would be a great
present, but as I just said,
also our competitors have to
contribute to it somehow.
We’ll try to keep the third
position in the
Constructors’ standings. For
my birthday celebrations
I’ll wait until I’m back in
Europe to celebrate with my
friends and my family."
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