Domenicali: Räikkönen will be able to bounce back next season

Stefano Domenicali, race director of Scuderia Ferrari, expects that next year Kimi Räikkönen will do like Valentino Rossi this year: a resounding comeback after a disappointing campaign.

The Finn was eclipsed by his teammate Felipe Massa in the 2008 season. Ferrari won the Constructors’ World Championship but lost the Drivers’ Championship by one point with the Brazilian.

While Massa has found a maturity and consistency that he lacked at the start of his career, Räikkönen will need to raise his game if he wants to establish himself as the team leader.

But Domenicali stated that Räikkönen can do what Rossi did in Moto GP this year: Win a new title after experiencing disappointments and criticism for a year.

« I think this season has been difficult for him, » explained Domenicali when asked how his driver must feel after this season.

« But he is happy because we won the constructor’s title. And he can’t wait to start again because he has that champion spirit. »

After the year 2007, many predicted the end of Valentino Rossi’s career, but this season he is once again the Moto GP champion. I expect the same for Kimi in 2009.