Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsOpinion

Hakkinen cast doubts over Raikkonen

Former double World Champion Mika Hakkinen is undecided as to whether his countryman Kimi Raikkonen can bounce back and bridge the performance gap which currently separates the Ferrari driver from his team mate Sebastian Vettel.

While Vettel has clinched three victories this season and a further ten podiums, his Scuderia counterpart has only twice enjoyed a top 3 finish, visibly struggling on pace compared to Vettel.

In 2014, Raikkonen had already been subjugated to Fernando Alonso's authority, finishing some 105 points behind the Spaniard in the championship.

Yet, following an extensive review of his performances, Ferrari top brass decided over the summer to extend Raikkonen's contract into 2016, but it remains to be seen how the 36-year-iold and 2007 World Champion can step up his game.

"That's a very good question, and one which is worth asking Kimi himself," Mika Hakkinen told Finnish paper Ilta Sanomat.

"There is definitely no easy answer. I think if Kimi knew it already, he would be faster already."

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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.