Personality was the biggest difference between Räikkönen and Alonso

Although Fernando Alonso wasn't quite able to do Kimi Räikkönen's heroic deed and win the world championship during his first season as Ferrari's driver the Spaniard has collected significantly more praisal for his whole input.

Turun Sanomat asked team boss Stefano Domenicali what the biggest difference in the work was between Alonso and Raikkonen.

- The language, the Italian leader started.

Was that the biggest difference?

- As everybody knows Kimi has a different approach towards the team. He is in his own style a fantastically strong racing driver. Fernando plays the game with the team in a different way. It is because of the nature of the man's characteristics and we need to focus on that.

- It would be wrong to make comparisons between two different personalities. Kimi won the championship with us. He has a different personality and different characteristics. Fernando's approach to the team differs from Kimi because of his entirely different nature and that's why it's so much easier for him to establish relations with people inside the team, Domenicali said.

Does Domenicali see that 31-year-old Räikkönen still has a future in F1 racing?

- Kimi is a fantastic driver who decides for himself what he wants to do. I know Kimi will want to continue to rally in the championship this year. He also wants to start winning there too. It remains to be seen what opportunities he will have in the future, Domenicali said.

At Ferrari they are counting a lot upon Alonso.

- I think Fernando will start the season from a very special foundation compared to last year. Although the championship went in Abu Dhabi the truth is that we lost earlier in the season so many big points, which also reflected in the final season, Domenicali explained.

Turun Sanomat, Madonna di Campiglio

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole