• Lotus news

Raikkonen's motivation still intact since signing Ferrari deal

Kimi Raikkonen: "I always said that if I didn't like it I wouldn't come to the next race" © Getty Images

Enlarge

Kimi Raikkonen insists his motivation has not waned since he signed a contract to move from Lotus to Ferrari next year.

Ferrari and Raikkonen announced the deal after the Italian Grand Prix and since then he has struggled for form in qualifying, starting no higher than ninth at the last three races. His performances on Sunday, however, have been in line with his form earlier in the season and he insists the Ferrari deal has made no difference to his approach.

"I think that never changes, it has been the same since the start of the year," he said. "The fact I'm changing teams for next year doesn't change a thing for me, I still want to win races this year. I'm not interested in just driving around without pushing, I want to do always my best, so what happens next year doesn't interest me for now."

He added that he would not turn up to races if his heart was not in it.

"I always said that if I didn't like it I wouldn't come to the next race. I'm happy to walk away when I feel like it and I have no reason to do something that I am not enjoying. For sure there are a lot of things I am not a big fan of but at least so far the racing makes up for it. I'm happy with the way things are going and hopefully in the future it will be even better."

Lotus team principal Eric Boullier believes Raikkonen's perceived dip in form is also a result of team-mate Romain Grosjean upping his game.

"I don't think [Raikkonen is lacking motivation]," he said. "I think it's more that Romain has come back in the game. If you remember last year Romain was very much up to speed when he first started the season, then he obviously lost a little bit of ground, but this is just Romain being back."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.