Raikkonen out to break Bahrain jinx

Eurosport - Wed, 02 Apr 14:47:00 2008
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, the pre-race favourite at the Bahrain Grand Prix after dominating in Malaysia, has revealed his determination to conquer the Sakhir circuit next weekend.The Finn does not have a particularly good record at the Hermann Tilke-designed track, situated in a desert, finishing third in his last three grands prix there and retiring from the inaugural event in 2004.
"Time and again something has gone wrong there," Raikkonen said.

"Sakhir is one of those circuits where I really want to win finally.

"We should have speed enough to fight for the top place in Bahrain, too. I have a good touch with that circuit and Ferrari has traditionally been strong there.

"It is not easy to find the good set-up in that tricky track, but at least we had a very encouraging test down there in early February.

"I really like the Sakhir circuit, because it differs from the others. While going there, you feel like playing in the sandbox. It really feels like a gigantic sandbox.

"Where ever you watch, you see just sand. And you feel it, too - in your hair.

"It is very early season still. Nobody knows exactly how their cars are. Obviously, our test in February does not harm us.

"But of course now it is different weather, a different circuit and, obviously, our car is different, too.

"We have improved our car after the Bahrain test, so it should be better there. But the competitors are not far behind. All the teams know the place."

Raikkonen's Malaysian win and his fortunate single point from Australia has moved him joint second in the championship battle with 11 points, three behind Melbourne winner Lewis Hamilton.