Raikkonen ‘chubby, lazy’ in 2008 – Coulthard

Wed, 25 March 2009, 07:59

Mar.25 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen needs to put in more effort if he wants to return to contention for world championships, a former teammate of the Finn claims

David Coulthard partnered the now 29-year-old Ferrari driver at McLaren between 2002 and 2004

But the Scot, who retired as a race driver and this week touched down in Melbourne for his new role as a TV pundit and Red Bull advisor, believes Raikkonen let his game slip last year

In 2008, Raikkonen was outclassed by his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa, ultimately trailing the title runner-up by 22 points

“Massa has proved himself a world-class driver and Raikkonen should be there, but we saw a chubby, lazy driver, slightly lethargic-looking, last year,” Coulthard told the Daily Star

“I think it could go either way with him. Has he still got the hunger? He’s a supreme talent, but he’s not putting the effort in,” the 37-year-old added

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali this week said 2009 is an “important season” for Kimi, who seems “motivated and thinner — three kilos (lighter) they tell me”

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