Turun Sanomat 6.7 2009 22:50:28

Nürburgring is a track where Kimi Räikkönen has had to experience his career's most bitter DNF's. One could say that he has lost in these 4 DNF's three victories and at least one championship.

Twice he has had to stop from a clear leading position.

On top of that Ferrari's only pole man got in 2007 beaten by rain and when trying to get back he had to stop the race from 3rd postion due to a technical problem. Still he won the championship.
– Kimi has has his share of unfortune on certain tracks but Nürburgring has to be his most unfortunate track. The track suits him perfectly but there has always been problems with the car when he is succeeding, Steve Robertson sighs.
Räikkönen has been in Nürburgring twice on pole (2003 and 2007) and once 2nd (2005). Yet he has only got one 3rd (2002), one 4th (2006) and one 10th position (2001).

When the dream becomes a nightmare
In 2003 Räikkönen started from pole and got immediately a 25 second lead when he had a DNF. If Kimi would have won that race he would have most probably become the youngest ever WDC. Michael Schumacher won the WDC with 2 points.
In 2005 Räikkönen had won before Nürburgring in Barcelona and Monaco. While overtaking Jacques Villeneuve he braked so that his front tyre became a cube which made McLaren shake so much that the differential broke when the last lap started.
That took also away his hopes for the WDC.

Räikkönen believes himself that he drove his career's best GP in Nürburgring.
– Maybe the all time best is 2003 Nürburgring. I was easily leading the race from pole until the car broke down. Until that there was this feeling that I couldn't have done anything any better, Räikkönen admits to Turun Sanomat.
– If you think of it as a whole then my last victory in Spain 2008 must have been my best weekend. It went right in the tube from the beginning to the end, Räikkönen said.

What makes Nürburgring especially good for Kimi?
– Kimi is always good in certain chicanes and there's two of those left-right-areas where he is really fast. Kimi is at his best when you have to change the direction quickly, Robertson said.

Ferrari brought to Silverstone a highly renewed aero package and a lot more was expected than the GP could give. To Nürburgring they bring an even lighter aero package but the short axle distance is still maintained. According to Italian sources they have even found something new and interesting about the KERS-system.
– The team has been working really hard again since the last race. I would think that Nürburgring would suit our car at lest better than it suited Silverstone. We'll see then where we are when we get to drive the practise.
– There ain't any other goal except that I'll do my best in every race. The podium would be a cool thing because we only have one 3rd place from this year. But it's best not to promise anything beforehand, Kimi says.

Räikkönen's most unlucky tracks:

Hockenheim: 5 DNF's (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005).

Nürburgring: 4 DNF's (2003, 2004, 2005 ja 2007).

Barcelona: 4 DNF's (2002, 2003, 2007 ja 2009).

Sepang: 4 DNF's (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006).

Indianapolis: 4 DNF's (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006).