Marchionne sends Raikkonen another warning

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Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne wants Kimi Raikkonen to raise his game, as contract negotiations for 2018 loom on the horizon.

The Finn has yet to win a race this season while team mate Sebastian Vettel has put three wins under his belt.

Marchionne, who typically drives a hard bargain, believes that the 2007 world champion's performances this year are falling short of expectations.

"I think Kimi has got to show a higher level of commitment to the process," the Canadian-Italian manager told reporters at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

"There are days when I think he's a bit of a laggard, but we'll see. I am going to talk to him today, we'll see what happens."

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Marchionne is happy however with the Scuderia's overall performance this season, after a winless 2016 campaign.

"It's not perfect, I think we still left a lot of potential gains on the track. We can make that difference up. I still think that Mercedes has a slight edge over us," said Marchionne.

"I am happy with what Sebastian is doing, just in case anybody is wondering."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.