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Formula One
F1: Raikkonen Unfazed By First Day Pace
Kimi Raikkonen is taking his chart-topping lap from opening day of winter testing in stride...
Adam Cooper  | http://www.speedtv.com  |  Posted February 07, 2012   Jerez (ESP)
Kimi Raikkonen is already planning for 2013 with Lotus. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kimi Raikkonen was not getting too excited after topping the times on the first day of testing in Jerez Tuesday.

The Finn, who got to grips with the Lotus E20 with some filming laps a day earlier, insisted that that the times mean nothing as yet.

“It was OK, we had a few small issues,” said Raikkonen. “It’s pretty normal with a new car, but nothing major, so that was a good thing. I have no idea what the others are doing; I don’t really care if they are first or we are fifth, it doesn’t really make any difference.

“As long as we can do what we want, that’s the main thing, and for sure there are still things to improve and to work on. I think it could have been much worse the first day, so I’m pretty happy with it.

“I don’t think it makes any difference, testing doesn’t give you anything. You try to do all the things that are necessary to get ready for the season, the times only count when there are racing. We did more or less what we were planning to do before we started the day.

“Like I said, I have no idea what the others are doing. I’m not too interested in it right now. It feels OK to drive, it felt already OK after yesterday.”

Raikkonen said that overall, the first day was a positive experience.

“You learn always, it’s a new car, first day, so if you didn’t learn anything about the car, it would be funny," the 2007 World Champion said. "But like I said, it was a good start.

“It was the first time two weeks ago, it felt pretty normal straight away, no really big issues, and here it’s been the same story. I’ve been on this circuit many times and I know how it should feel.

“Right now we have no idea where we are going to be, and I don’t think anyone knows where they’re going to be in the first race. There’s still a long way to go, so let’s wait and see.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.
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