Title over for Ferrari, Raikkonen admits

The Ferrari is out to lunch in 2009

Ferrari

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has stated that neither he nor teammate Felipe Massa will be able to challenge for the 2009 world championship.

Ferrari this year kicked off its worst start to a season since 1992, but after just two races in 2009, Finn Raikkonen says it is not realistic to hope to recover and mount a title bid.

"We're never going to be in a position to win the championship (this year) but hopefully we can improve the car and try to win some races later on this season, that's the realistic aim," the 29-year-old told the BBC in Shanghai.

Team boss Stefano Domenicali agrees, arguing that with the diffuser row settled against Ferrari's favor, "the championship is taking a very clear direction" with the original diffuser teams "flying away".

Ferrari's Italian boss also defended Raikkonen, amid suggestions his attitude is too complacent.

For example, when mechanics were readying his car amid the Malaysia downpour two weeks ago, the Finn was dressed in shorts, drinking a coke and eating ice-cream.

"No, we had a problem with KERS," Domenicali said. "Because we had time, we tried to understand the problem, but it was not possible to go (back) out."