Raikkonen ready to take F1 risks

Updated 10.56 Thu Aug 23 2007
Keywords: Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Formula One Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, sport

Kimi Raikkonen has revealed ahead of Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix that he is ready to take risks in a bid to become Formula One world champion.

The 27-year-old Finn finds himself 20 points adrift of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton at the top of the latest World Drivers' Championship standings.

"I don't have much to lose, so I can risk more than my colleagues at McLaren. Six races may seem only a few, but for the ones who are leading, it's a lot" - Kimi Raikkonen

The Ferrari driver, who is 13 points behind Hamilton's team-mate Fernando Alonso, said: "We have to give our best and hope that those who are ahead of us have slight problems.

"I don't have much to lose, so I can risk more than my colleagues at McLaren. Six races may seem only a few, but for the ones who are leading, it's a lot."

Alonso, who will compete in his 100th race in Istanbul this weekend, will also be looking to turn up the heat on Hamilton as he bids to seal a hat-tick of World Drivers' titles.

The 26-year-old reigning double world champion, who has finished second in Turkey in each of his last two races there, said: "I have a solid points total in the drivers' world championship, and I aim to build on that considerably in Istanbul."

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