Rely on Raikkonen at Spa-Francorchamps

The Formula One season resumes in Belgium and Kimi Raikkonen is the man to back on the favourite circuit of most drivers, Spa-Francorchamps, nestled in the beautiful Ardennes region.

If most Formula One pilots like Spa-Francorchamps, Raikkonen loves the track. The Finn`s record on the Belgium circuit is incredible and, with his Lotus car improving with every race this year, he is worth supporting in a range of markets.

Raikkonen has made seven Belgian Grand Prix appearances since debuting in 2001. He did not finish either of his first two starts at Spa-Francorchamps, although he did qualify for the 2002 race in second place. However, it is the Finn`s efforts in recent times that are breathtaking.

Driving a McLaren in 2004, Raikkonen fought his way from 10th on the grid to win his first Belgian Grand Prix by more than three seconds from Michael Schumacher. It was the only victory of the year for the Finn and his Woking-based team.

Raikkonen went back to back in the 2005 Belgian Grand Prix, qualifying in second position but racing away from Juan Pablo Montoya and others to take the chequered flag first, nearly half a minute before the next driver and car.

The Belgian Grand Prix did not feature on the 2006 Formula One calendar but, much to the delight of everyone associated with motor racing, it reappeared in 2007 and, guess what, Raikkonen qualified fastest and pretty much from start to finish, with his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa runner-up.

The 2008 Belgian Grand Prix was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Raikkonen led for most of the race but he lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton in controversial circumstances three laps from the finish, a passing move that resulted in the Briton receiving a 25-second penalty. The Finn was rattled by Hamilton`s illegal manoeuvre and crashed on the next lap as the rain fell heavier on the Spa-Francorchamps track.

Raikkonen made amends 12 months later, winning the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix despite starting the race from the third row of the grid. It was the Finn`s first victory since the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix and Ferrari`s only success of what was an uncharacteristically poor season for the team.

Absent from the Formula One competition in 2010 and 2011, Raikkonen lies fifth in the 2012 rankings with his race results getting progressively better. The Finn will be licking his lips at the prospect of winning his first contest for Lotus on his favourite circuit of all.

The case for backing Raikkonen is compelling. The Finn has won four of the last five Belgian Grands Prix in which he has taken part and he was very unlucky not to win the one that he lost. Plus he has registered three podium finishes in his last four drives for the Lotus team anywhere.

Raikkonen is around 5-1 to win the Belgian Grand Prix, which put him behind only Hamilton and Vettel, who are around 3-1 and 9-2 respectively. Also, the Finn is available at around 11-10 to be among the Spa-Francorchamps top three. Both odds fall into the generous category and are well worth taking.

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30/08/2012     © Frixo 2024