2002: 17 Races. 10 DNFs.
2003: 16 Races. 3 DNFs.
2004: 18 Races. 8 DNFs.
2005: 19 Races. 2 DNFs.
2006: 18 Races. 6 DNFs.
The pattern was getting extremely familiar, and frustrating.. When Ron Dennis selected Räikkönen to succeed Hakkinen in 2002, it surprised quite a few people. After all, Heidfeld had almost consistently beaten him at Sauber the previous year. His debut at the new team, however, was very auspicious podium finish and Dennis seemed to have played a master-stroke. Surely, Räikkönen had no idea of the nightmare that lay ahead..
But all nightmares eventually come to an end, and 2003 saw him come within 11 seconds of the Drivers’ Championship, only to be denied by an inspired Barichello. Next year, incredibly enough, McLaren lost their plot again, reaching amazingly new lows in unreliability.. Between Räikkönen and Coulthard, they racked up 8 retirements in the first 14 starts of the season. The lasting image of the season was Räikkönen, holding his head in his hands, with his engine up in flames, wondering what kind of a miracle did he need to even finish a race?
Perhaps miracles do happen.. McLaren recovered beautifully in 2005 and Räikkönen took 7 wins and 10 fastest race laps in a season when he should have won his first Championship. And he would have if luck, and tires, had been a little more favourable..
In my mind, there is absolutely no doubt that Räikkönen is the best driver on the circuit right now. And he should have already had two Championships in his name, but perhaps this is the year he will finally get his due!
2007 is probably one of the most open F1 seasons in last 10 years or so.. With Schumacher retiring, Alonso and Räikkönen switching teams, and on top of that, the exit of Michelin, there is basically no one clear winner right now.. McLaren have a strong driver lineup, but they are both new to the team. And there is no Newey. Renault have a great team, but they don’t have Alonso anymore.
Ferrari are almost a completely different team this year without Schumacher, Ross Brawn or Nigel Stepney. They do have the best driver lineup, in my opinion, and their testing pace has been pretty good. But of course, none of that makes any difference unless Räikkönen can take home 10 points in Melbourne next weekend.
Here’s hoping we get to hear Our Land, Maamme all the way from Albert Park to Sao Paulo!
