Raikkonen eyes consistent victory challenges

© XPB 

Kimi Raikkonen says his next target with Ferrari is to be consistently challenging for victories this season after his podium in Bahrain.

After a difficult 2014 season, Raikkonen has found the SF15-T much more to his liking this year and took his first podium since the 2013 Korean Grand Prix when he finished second last weekend. With Mercedes having had the measure of Ferrari over the last two races, Raikkonen says only a small improvement is needed to be challenging for wins at every grand prix this year.

"I’m very happy how the team is working and obviously after last year where we are now is a big step and everyone is working very well together," Raikkonen said. "The atmosphere is good now and we have a good direction to keep pushing.

"It seems to be working well and things are improving, so I’m sure as a team we’ll get there and to be able to be all the time fighting for wins, but it will take a little more time."

While Ferrari's power unit is notably better this year, Raikkonen says the team will need to make all-round improvements to the car to match Mercedes.

"Obviously on some circuits we can get closer, some not, but I think obviously the first step is to improve our package, that will happen in the future and hopefully get closer. One step is to qualify more higher up, make better starts and go from there.

"I think we just have to keep working and improving the whole package and how we do things. I’m sure we will get there and we can fight for wins every weekend after that."

Click here for a look at the brake-by-wire system which caused Mercedes problems in Bahrain

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter