ROME, April 9 – Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen has vowed that Ferrari will bounce back from their awful opening to the 2009 season that has seen them fail to register a single point.
Two races in, the reigning conctructors world champions have not only finished outside the points but have also looked some way off the pace of the all-conquering Brawn GP team.
And to make matters worse, poor tactical decisions cost Felipe Massa in qualifying and Raikkonen in the race itself.
That moved Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo to demand an improvement from his team.
"We know that we have to react to catch up in terms of performance, part of which is also due to the interpretation of the technical rules (the rear diffusers), considered to be incorrect by many teams, but that’s why we’ll work very hard over these next few days to improve the F60’s aerodynamic developments as much as possible," he said.
And Raikkonen, who many believe is driving for his future with the team this season following a disappointing defence to his title last year, is confident the team can react before the next Grand Prix in China, following disasters in both Australia and Malaysia.
"We still don’t have any points following two Grand Prix and without a doubt this is a difficult time for us," he said.
"But we’ve been through similar phases in the past. We know how to react and we’ll do so in Shanghai."
However, Raikkonen admitted that the International Automobile Association’s (FIA) decision over the rear diffusers being used by Brawn, Toyota and Williams will also have a large impact on the Ferrari’s competitiveness.
Several teams have lodged an appeal with the FIA over the legality of those diffusers and a hearing is set to be held next week.
"Right now we still have some problems which were evident in Malaysia," added the Finn.
"The next race is in China but a couple of days beforehand the FIA’s Court of Appeal will decide on the diffusers.
"That’s a decision that will have a huge impact on the championship."
