Raikkonen targets '07 title with Ferrari
McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen says he will target the title when he joins the Ferrari team next season
Raikkonen was confirmed as a Ferrari driver today, after months of speculation. He has signed a deal until the end of the 2009 season.
The Finn, who is yet to stand on the top step of the podium this year, says his goal for next year is to win the title.
"I expected it to happen already, but you never know what will happen and hopefully we can do it next year," said Raikkonen after finishing in the second place at the Italian Grand Prix.
"We need to work as hard as we can and I have full confidence that the team will give me a very good car. I am happy to join the team with the history and all the great things. I want to finish this year as best as I can and see what happens next year."
Raikkonen has been at McLaren since the 2002 season, and he has finished runner-up in the championship twice, in 2003 and 2005.
The Finn believes it was the right moment to move to Ferrari.
"I guess there are many reasons but I have been five years in McLaren, they are a great team and nice people but in the end I wanted something else," he added. "There were only two choices, to stay at McLaren or choose Ferrari.
"I wanted to go there one day, this was the best moment, and there will be people I miss at McLaren but that is the way it goes."
Although Raikkonen will have big shoes to fill in as Schumacher's replacement, the Finn has shrugged off the comparison.
"Not really. It is a nice place to go and the team will expect a lot and the fans too, but I also expect a lot from the fans.
"It is different. I came to McLaren when Mika (Hakkinen) was world champion twice and it was not easy, but I will go there, do my best and hopefully it will be enough for everybody."
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