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Good car helping comeback - Raikkonen

ESPNF1 Staff
April 5, 2012 « 'My season starts properly in China' - Grosjean | Hill makes Bahrain u-turn »
Kimi Raikkonen has been able to run competitively at the front so far this season © Sutton Images
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Kimi Raikkonen insists he has been able to enjoy an easier comeback to Formula One than Michael Schumacher because of a good car.

When Raikkonen returned to the sport after two years out at the start of this year, some observers questioned how long it would take him to get back up to speed following Schumacher's relative struggles in 2010. Having scored points in each of the opening two races, however, Raikkonen currently sits just two points behind reigning champion Sebastian Vettel and he insisted that his strong start is down to Lotus being competitive.

"It's just about whether you have a good car or not," Raikkonen told Sport Bild. "It has made life much easier for me. He (Schumacher) was not so lucky. The (Lotus) car is good. Whether it's good enough for victory or not, I don't know. At least we are not far away from the top."

Raikkonen also pointed out that little had changed in Formula One during the two years that he was away and said that even two championships had not affected the character of his friend Vettel, while adding that he himself had not changed.

"He has won two titles since then but it didn't change him. Sebastian is a great racing driver but he's also a really nice guy ... Maybe people see me as more relaxed, which I think is down to the team. It's a different atmosphere to what I've experienced before."

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