KIMI HIT WITH ANOTHER ENGINE PENALTY
Last Updated: Saturday, 03, September, 2005, 12:00
Kimi Raikkonen's world championship hopes have been dealt a severe blow with the news that he must take another 10-place grid penalty after his McLaren-Mercedes team decided to change his engine before qualifying at Monza.
The Finn must win the Italian Grand Prix to keep his championship hopes alive, but now has to battle his way through from at least 11th on the grid.
A team spokesman said the change was necessary after an inlet valve failed on the Finn's original unit.
Raikkonen has set the pace throughout free practice at Monza and is confident that with his car's speed advantage he can still fight for victory on the Italian circuit's long straights.
This is the third time this season that Raikkonen has been forced to take a penalty.
And while he finished second and third in France and Britain - the previous races where the penalty has been a factor – the Finn has made it clear in the past that he is unhappy with McLaren's reliability this season.
It may even have played a part in his rumoured pre-contract agreement with Ferrari for 2007.
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Originally Posted by Pando
