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Bernie Disappointed with Kimi in 2008

Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he was very surprised with Raikkonen's poor form this season especially since it came after winning the title last year. Kimi's last visit on the podium happened at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3rd, the Finn failing to score a single point in the following 4 races.

“Kimi is a very strange driver and I like him just the way he is. But when you win a championship title you have to open up more because consequently become the image of the sport. He has failed in doing that. I know him as a great driver but I don't know where that driver is right now. It's a mystery”, said Bernie in an interview for Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport.

And the situation seems far from going the right way for Kimi, as the Finn has set only the 5th fastest time in Japanese GP second practice session on Friday. The reigning world champion won last year's race at Mount Fuji on heavy rain conditions, marking a forceful comeback that would later secure him his first world title in career.

Nevertheless, the Ferrari driver said that he is not lacking determination for the remaining three GPs of the season despite his poor results in the last four races: “I have made mistakes, Ferrari have made mistakes - everyone makes mistakes. We need to learn from them. But I have all the confidence in the team, just as they have in me and both drivers. We win and lose as a team. The car should be strong over all the remaining races. We should be in a position at least to challenge to win”.

With Massa trailing rival Lewis Hamilton for the world title with only a 7-point deficit, Raikkonen's only objectives for the season remain helping his teammate clinch the world crown and bring Ferrari a second consecutive constructors' title.

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