Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari has to improve on “getting small details together” if it wants to get its season back on track, starting at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix.
The Scuderia has yet to reap the rewards of the noticeable step in performance it has taken with the SF16-H, after its first three races were marred by poor reliability, driver errors, and questionable strategy calls.
Championship leader Nico Rosberg has repeatedly warned that Ferrari’s true potential remains to be seen, and Raikkonen suggests this will happen when the Italian team manages to enjoy a smooth and trouble-free event.
“I’m sure we have work to do and there are things we have to improve, but I think we have quite a good package to be happy in race weekends,” the Finn said. “But it’s the small details that can make the big differences in the end result and we have to get the best out of what we have, but also improve in the areas we’re not entirely happy with what we have.
“There are always things to improve, to make better, to drive better, all small things but getting the small details together is important. In some weekends we struggle with the tyres, so there’s a lot of small things that add up to make a big lap time difference.”
In a bid to recapture a positive momentum, Ferrari will unleash agressive upgrades in Sochi, including a revised front wing and a new power unit specification after reportedly using three of its remaining nine engine development tokens. However, Raikkonen is quick to keep expectations in check in that area.
“For the engine, we have a plan, like we had last year, to make certain things at certain times, improve and bring new parts for some races,” the 2007 world champion added.
“The plan is similar and we’re following it, it will be a different engine, a new engine, but it’s part of the normal progress throughout the year. Is it going to make an awful lot of difference? I don’t know. There’s nothing wrong with my engine, it’s just a new spec. I don’t know how.”
Romain Grosjean column: Haas brought back down to earth
Chris Medland's 2016 Russian Grand Prix preview
F1 technical - How does ERS deployment work?
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
As Formula 1 prepares to wave goodbye to its current rule set in Abu Dhabi,…
On the eve of Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, drivers set aside championship…
Formula 1's 2025 season hurtles toward its dramatic close this weekend in Yas Marina, with…
In a title showdown charged with tension, numbers, and a hint of intra-team intrigue, Max…
Charles Leclerc isn’t sugarcoating Ferrari’s struggles this season – but he also isn’t second-guessing the…
Red Bull Racing’s newest recruit, Isack Hadjar, is stepping into Formula 1’s hottest seat with…