Mar.17 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen, 2013's early championship leader, has questioned whether Lotus can keep up its winning pace throughout the season.

The Finn beat formidable opponents Fernando Alonso, of Italian giants Ferrari, and Red Bull's triple consecutive reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel to the chequered flag in Australia.

Asked if Lotus - whose budget is also eclipsed by McLaren and Mercedes - can keep up the pace in F1's era of constant and rapid-fire car development, former McLaren and Ferrari driver Raikkonen was unsure.

"I'm sure we have the people, all the tools," he said.

"The money is a big part," said Raikkonen, referring to Enstone based Lotus, whose previous incarnations were the championship-winning works Renault and Benetton teams.

"For sure we don't have the same budget as Ferrari or Red Bull or Mercedes but we could show last year that ... we did pretty well on the money and the things we have," he added.

"Of course it's not going to be easy for us," he admitted.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games