Raikkonen: No Extra Pressure at McLaren

Young Finn Kimi Raikkonen is not expecting to feel more pressure next year despite driving for the McLaren team in only his second Formula One season.

21-year old Raikkonen, making his Grand Prix debut with the Sauber team this year, will drive for the Woking team alongside David Coulthard in 2002, replacing compatriot and two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen.

But the Finn rookie, who has impressed at the wheel of the Ferrari-powered C20, believes driving for a winning team will not mean added pressure for him.

"They're waiting, they're expecting lots of things from me," admitted Raikkonen, "but also I had a big push this year to start - came from Formula Renault to Formula One and improve myself in Formula One. So I think it's not going to be any bigger pressure than this year.

"Things have happened very quickly for me in the last two years, but I think it's only in a positive way that the things are going, and I'm only looking forward."

Raikkonen, who made his Formula One debut amid controversy due to his lack of experience in single-seater racing, has scored nine points so far in 2001.