Kimi Raikkonen is confident Ferrari will soon be back on the top step of the podium following the major progress it has made in the last two races.
After enduring its worst start to a season for nearly 30 years, the reigning world champion team introduced a crucial aerodynamic upgrade of its F60 earlier this month at Barcelona which hauled it onto the tail of the front runners.
Then in Monaco last weekend the team appeared to make another step forward, emerging as Brawn’s closest rival and claiming its first front-row start and podium appearance of the year as part of a three-four finish.
Raikkonen says the result has acted as a timely confidence booster for the team and is sure that with further updates on the way it won’t have to wait long for its first victory since the 2008 season finale in Brazil.
“Being back on the podium is a nice reward for the whole team,” the Finn said.
“The hard work of the last weeks finally bears some fruit, which is really positive for all of us.
“We know that we're on the right way now: there are still some minor things to be done but sooner or later we will win.
“We'll show up with further improvements of the F60 in the upcoming races and we hope we can then challenge the leaders even more, in the qualifying and in the race.”
The Finn reiterated his mild frustration at only finishing on the bottom step of the podium having been unable to pass Rubens Barrichello after being jumped by the Brazilian off the start line – admitting that wins are now the only real reward given Ferrari’s dismal start to the year.
“I wasn't too happy with the third place at the Monaco GP,” he admitted.
“For sure it was the best result in the last time, but that was nothing new to me and we knew that we could arrive on a place on the top.
“When the leaders in the championship are so far ahead in the classification, in the end it's only a victory that counts.”
Nevertheless the Finn’s Monaco performance has been praised by Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali.
The Italian says Raikkonen – criticised in some quarters for his performance so far this season – showcased his abilities to the full.
“I'm particularly happy for Kimi, he had a wonderful weekend: he missed the pole by a blink of the eye and in the race he might have done better, if there hadn't been the problem during his second pit stop,” Domenicali said.
“On a track where talent is important Kimi has shown what he is able to do."