fly_ac
13th March 2007, 15:46
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38622
Michael Schumacher’s former technical cohort Ross Brawn has backed Kimi Raikkonen to be a successful replacement for the legendary German at Ferrari this season.
The Briton, currently on a sabbatical after a decade at the Italian squad, said in an interview with BBC Sport that there is not much to choose between the Finn and double world champion Fernando Alonso and that Raikkonen has the right qualities to fit in well at Maranello.
"There were only ever two drivers considered to replace Michael - Kimi and Alonso," he said.
"We took the view that the team was strong enough, and that speed was the most important thing.
"You have to remember as well that Jean [Todt] has got a long history with Scandinavian drivers from his time in rallying, and he likes their introverted, quiet approach.
"I don't think there's that much between the two of them [Alonso and Raikkonen]. Alonso has won two world championships and has shown he can do it. But the reasons why Kimi hasn't are not down to him."
However Brawn is expecting winter pacesetter Felipe Massa to provide Raikkonen with stiff competition in the fight to establish a new number one at the team.
As although he says the Brazilian was still come way behind Schumacher at the end of last season, he has the potential to be one of Formula 1’s biggest stars.
“Michael still had Felipe very much under control by the end of the season,” he said.
"But Felipe has progressed an enormous amount and if he keeps up that rate of progress he'll be a massive competitor in F1 in the future. It's just a question of whether he does."
Sweet :up:
Michael Schumacher’s former technical cohort Ross Brawn has backed Kimi Raikkonen to be a successful replacement for the legendary German at Ferrari this season.
The Briton, currently on a sabbatical after a decade at the Italian squad, said in an interview with BBC Sport that there is not much to choose between the Finn and double world champion Fernando Alonso and that Raikkonen has the right qualities to fit in well at Maranello.
"There were only ever two drivers considered to replace Michael - Kimi and Alonso," he said.
"We took the view that the team was strong enough, and that speed was the most important thing.
"You have to remember as well that Jean [Todt] has got a long history with Scandinavian drivers from his time in rallying, and he likes their introverted, quiet approach.
"I don't think there's that much between the two of them [Alonso and Raikkonen]. Alonso has won two world championships and has shown he can do it. But the reasons why Kimi hasn't are not down to him."
However Brawn is expecting winter pacesetter Felipe Massa to provide Raikkonen with stiff competition in the fight to establish a new number one at the team.
As although he says the Brazilian was still come way behind Schumacher at the end of last season, he has the potential to be one of Formula 1’s biggest stars.
“Michael still had Felipe very much under control by the end of the season,” he said.
"But Felipe has progressed an enormous amount and if he keeps up that rate of progress he'll be a massive competitor in F1 in the future. It's just a question of whether he does."
Sweet :up: