Raikkonen backing for starlets

KIMI RAIKKONEN has rejected suggestions the inexperience of Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen is McLaren’s Achilles heel this season.

Hamilton, in particular, has made mistakes not seen in his rookie year when he was pipped to the Formula One world championship by a point by Ferrari’s Raikkonen.

Kovalainen has also had his fair share of problems, but the end result is that McLaren trail Ferrari by 33 points in the constructors’ title race heading into next weekend’s British Grand Prix.

When asked whether the duo’s lack of experience was costing McLaren dear, Raikkonen replied: “I don’t think so because there are a lot of people who know what they are doing.

“Sometimes you have a difficult car, sometimes a better one. That’s normal.”

Ahead of the race at Silverstone, Raikkonen is hopeful of repeating his victory of a year ago

“We were strong here last year, so I expect us to be in with a good chance of being able to win the race again.”

Raikkonen believes it will be a straight shootout between Ferrari and McLaren.

“McLaren are always strong here, and I’m expecting that next weekend,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be quite close between us and them. I don’t see the other teams being close enough for the win.”