Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Neuville has “no choice” but to take more risks to win

WRC
Rally Greece
WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Neuville has “no choice” but to take more risks to win

Red Bull apologises to Max Verstappen after technical issue caused F1 qualifying crash

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Red Bull apologises to Max Verstappen after technical issue caused F1 qualifying crash

WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Neuville and Ogier set for Sunday showdown

WRC
Rally Greece
WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Neuville and Ogier set for Sunday showdown

Why Antonelli aborted his fastest lap in Austrian GP qualifying

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Why Antonelli aborted his fastest lap in Austrian GP qualifying

Verstappen questions "crazy" delay in double yellow flags as the FIA responds

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Verstappen questions "crazy" delay in double yellow flags as the FIA responds

Russell explains meaning behind Wolff's "just drive" radio message in Austrian GP qualifying

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Russell explains meaning behind Wolff's "just drive" radio message in Austrian GP qualifying

Why factory Aprilia lost to satellite Trackhouse in MotoGP Dutch GP sprint

MotoGP
Dutch GP
Why factory Aprilia lost to satellite Trackhouse in MotoGP Dutch GP sprint

Verstappen on "odd" Austrian GP qualifying crash: "As I turned the wheel I was gone"

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Verstappen on "odd" Austrian GP qualifying crash: "As I turned the wheel I was gone"

Raikkonen to support Massa if needed

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says world champion Kimi Raikkonen will play a supporting role to teammate Felipe Massa if needed to secure the title

"If needed, Kimi will help Felipe," Domenicali was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We spoke about it at the beginning of the year.

"Before then, however, let's see how things evolve."

Raikkonen has struggled to match Massa's pace in recent races and the Finn has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

Massa, currently in second place in the standings seven points ahead of Raikkonen, has won four times to the Finn's two.

Domenicali is convinced, however, that Raikkonen will return to form.

"For me it doesn't represent a problem. He'll react, he'll soon be strong again, he knows how to keep away from criticisms and polemics," he added.

The team boss said it was up to the team to give Raikkonen a car he feels comfortable with.

"He isn't happy with the way the car enters corners. He would like it more aggressive, and this influences him. It's up to us to carry on giving him a hand."

Domenicali is also adamant that Massa is strong enough to win the championship.

"Certainly. We will have to give him an always competitive car. He's mature to manage it and we'll help him."

The Italian conceded the team cannot afford losing any more points through reliability problems, and revealed Ferrari have strengthen their quality control process.

"We can't anymore afford the luxury of losing important results because of reliability problems," he said. "However, it's also true that McLaren last year had 35 points more than today, and we had 16 more.

"It's been decided to strengthen controls over the whole component production of the cars. We have 40 people between metallurgy and quality department.

"What is about to start in two weeks' time in Belgium will be a sprint championship over six races, so we can't give away anything anymore."

Previous article Massa maintains form in Monza test
Next article Rosberg sure Williams on the right track

Top Comments

Latest news