F1: I won't change style - Raikkonen

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I won't change style - Raikkonen



Kimi Raikkonen has ruled out altering his approach after his high-profile move to Ferrari from McLaren.

Formula One insiders questioned the Finn's attitude after he failed to win a race for McLaren last season.

But Raikkonen said: "I'm not going to change my way, it works well enough. Even if I had changed my style it would not have changed the results.

"My training or private life wasn't the problem, it was to do with the car not being quick enough."

Raikkonen, who has nine Grand Prix victories, finished runner-up in the drivers championship in 2005 but could only finish fifth last year.

But he said he was finding life easier at Ferrari, who he finds more accommodating than McLaren or his previous team Sauber.

"I don't really mind what people say. I'm not Michael Schumacher and the team doesn't expect me to be," added Raikkonen, who made his Formula One debut in 2001.

"I work in a different way. We just need to find the best way to work together and I don't see a problem with that.

"So far it has been much easier to work with this team than any other in Formula One for me.

"People said it would be difficult but so far it has been completely the opposite. I expect to have a good relationship and to have fun."

Raikkonen also shrugged off the suggestion that the pressure of following in Schumacher's footsteps could affect his performances at Ferrari.

"I don't feel pressure - I had a similar situation when I joined McLaren," he said.

"People will always compare you to the previous driver, that is normal, but I will just do my own thing."

Raikkonen's off-track lifestyle has been given plenty of coverage in the Finnish media and was alluded to by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt last month.

Todt said: "Finns like a drink or two now and then. Since Raikkonen will be much more visible at Ferrari, we will surround him with affection and attention.

"If he wants to down a few with his mates, we would ask him to do it discreetly."

Credit - BBC Sport