Lotus F1 Team
Kimi Raikkonen says he is hopeful that Lotus can compete for the win at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix.
Raikkonen has never won at Monza, while a Renault powered car has won at the circuit just once since 1996.
Nonetheless the Finn is optimistic that he can get among the front runners.
"Monza always gives a great challenge," said Raikkonen.
"It’s so different compared with the more modern circuits as the layout means the car needs to be set up differently. To go fast at Monza you need a car that is good aerodynamically, stable over the kerbs and has a strong engine as we are using full throttle for most of the lap. I think we should be pretty good in those areas, but we won’t know exactly how good until we get out on track."
"It’s a unique circuit with the high speeds achieved there and everyone will be running the lowest level of downforce we see all year."
"Low downforce has not always been the best for our car, but the factory has been working hard to get more speed and stability for us with some changes to the car. Let’s wait and see how the car goes on Friday morning and then we’ll have a better idea of what can be achieved."
Raikkonen says that he has been competitive in Monza at the past, just that 'something has always going wrong' in order to prevent him from winning.
