Raikkonen Hopeful of European GP Debut for MP4-18

Finn Kimi Raikkonen said today that his McLaren team are still hopeful of racing their new car in the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in two weeks despite a setback crash last week.

Raikkonen, who currently leads the World Championship by four points from Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, admitted he had damaged the team's new MP4-18 machine in an accident at Barcelona. He confirmed the crash was a setback for the team, as they were unable to run the car on the final day of testing.

But he said a test at Jerez next week will be crucial to decide when to give the new car its debut.

"I had a shunt," said Raikkonen in Canada today. "It is good that I didn't hurt myself but I damaged it enough to not be able to test the next day. I just lost control, just dropped a wheel and then went off on the last corner.

"We are testing with the new car for three or four days (again next week) and it all depends what happens there when we are going to bring the car. Everyone is doing their best to get everything sorted out for the next race."

Raikkonen has finished all but one of this season's races on the podium, his only glitch coming in Spain when he lined up at the back of the grid and collided with the Jaguar of Antonio Pizzonia at the start. He is still confident of holding onto his World Championship lead using his old MP4-17D machine in this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix but hopes the new car will be available soon.

"Of course we try to win the race," said Raikkonen, who has finished fourth in both of his races in Montreal. "I think we are doing well with this car still because we are finishing all the time on the podium. Last year we were quite good in the race but I had some problems with the car, we had a refuelling problem, and the team asked me to slow down otherwise I would not finish the race.

"But I think the car should be good here and the tyres are working well and we should be in good shape. We have been close to the win a couple of times but it hasn't happened but it is always good if we can get the new car because it is going to be quicker but we try to get it as soon as possible."