Raikkonen: I have nothing to lose
Kimi Raikkonen says he can afford to go flat-out at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. The McLaren driver will have to win the race no matter what Michael Schumacher does, and admits that a conservative strategy will be no use to him.
"I have nothing to lose," said Raikkonen. "I know what I have to do and am only focussed on that, and not how Michael is going. There is still a chance to win the driver's title. It will not be as easy as if I had taken victory at Indy, but I enjoy a challenge!"
McLaren's Managing Director Martin Whitmarsh agreed: "It's an outside chance, but a genuine one. We are under no illusions about the challenge that faces Kimi, and although he can do his part the final result relies on where Michael finishes."
Raikkonen will need to win the race, and Schumacher fail to score, in order to take the title. With a nine-point deficit, the equation is that simple.
McLaren can put all their efforts behind Kimi at Suzuka, because they cannot now win the Constructors' Championship, and David Coulthard is a lowly seventh in the drivers' table.
Coulthard will become Mclaren's longest-serving driver this weekend, as he takes his 132nd start for the team.
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