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Rumours
in the Barcelona paddock indicate that tension between Kimi
Raikkonen and the Ferrari management is growing.
Officially,
the Italian team was willing to take the blame for the serious
strategy error that left the Finn just 16th on the grid for the
Spanish Grand Prix. But Raikkonen also admitted his own role.
"I certainly wasn't keen on doing another run," he said
of the Q1 debacle.
It
is believed the roots of the situation date back to a similar
situation earlier this season, when Ferrari reacted to a similar
error on Felipe Massa's car by subsequently ordering much more
conservative qualifying strategies. Raikkonen, however, is said to
have insisted he have more control over his own qualifying
strategies.
As
a result, tensions between the driver and his team are high, with
the British tabloid Daily Star interpreting the situation
as the threat the Finn 'could be booted ... if he doesn't perform
in Spain today'. The newspaper said Ferrari President Luca di
Montezemolo has told team chiefs that Raikkonen, despite his huge
salary, is not expendable.
Team
boss Stefano Domenicali played down the rumours, insisting the
onus is on Ferrari to give its drivers better equipment. "I
am sure we have all the elements to come back," the Italian
said.
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