Raikkonen remains defiant despite F1 setback

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

MARANELLO, Italy (AFP) — Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen hit back at critics who have questioned his motivation following his latest world championship setback at the European Grand Prix last weekend.

While team-mate Filipe Massa cantered to victory ahead of McLaren's world championship leader Lewis Hamilton, the Finn dropped to third overall and 13 points off the Briton in the standings after retiring with engine failure.

It has been a difficult season for the reigning champion with retirements in the Canadian and European GPs, a finish out of the points in Monaco, a lowly eighth in Australia and with podium finishes in only half the races.

He has only managed to start on the front row of the grid in four out of 12 races while he's been on the third row in two of...