Formula One: A Rival Looms at Last in Schumacher's Mirrors

Kimi Raikkonen rode an intoxicating wave of confidence through the first practice session for the Italian grand prix to set the second fastest time close behind Michael Schumacher's Ferrari, only a fortnight after relegating the world champion to runner-up in Belgium.

Such red-letter days have been few and far between for the McLaren-Mercedes squad in recent years as Schumacher and Ferrari have transformed the formula one business into their private fiefdom. Yet through this spell of disappointment and underachievement Raikkonen's equable and unflustered temperament has been a crucial stabilising influence on a team who looked precariously close to unravelling for good during the early races of the season. Likewise he has taken success in his stride. "It's always nice to win, but I've been so close before that I wouldn't say that win in Belgium has made me any more confident," he said yesterday.

His blistering first lap at Spa, one of the races of the season, during which he dodged cars crashing in all directions to make up five places and come round in fifth place, was one of the keys to that impressive success.

"I knew from qualifying that the car was extremely good so I knew it should have been pretty good come the race," he said. "I knew I had a good chance and when I finally got past Michael and was catching up the Renaults the car felt very strong. The car was really very nice to drive and after the final safety-car period I knew there was no way Michael was going to get past me."

This weekend at Monza he believes McLaren can sustain the momentum that is building behind the MP4-19B, which was introduced in the middle of the season.

"In testing here last week we were pretty happy," he said. "We are there or thereabouts and although we might not be the fastest qualifiers we should be in good shape anyway."

He said that though the disappointing start to the season with the troublesome original MP4-19 had been unfortunate for the team it basically had not undermined his confidence. "It wasn't my fault," he said, "even though it was upsetting for the entire team to discover that all the work we'd done over the winter was a waste of time. It wasn't nice for anybody, but I couldn't change anything. In a way it always hurts when you retire, but when the car breaks down it's not my fault."

The 24-year-old Finn is one of the coolest customers in the formula one paddock. Like his predecessor Mika Hakkinen, who won two world championships for McLaren, he radiates an aloof insouciance that signals he is not in the slightest intimidated by Schumacher's status and star quality.

"There is a particular self-contained inner strength and sense of resolve amongst the Finnish nation which we had previously encountered with Mika and are now enjoying again with Kimi," said Ron Dennis, the McLaren chairman. "He is not only extremely talented but also very tough and resilient.

"While he came within two points of winning the 2003 world championship, he has also had to come to terms with a run of disappointing results earlier this season. The real strength of a driver's character is displayed not so much by the way in which he handles success but by the manner in which he comes to terms with events which have fallen short of his expectations."

Raikkonen's controlled aggression and dynamic car control have even attracted the attention of Ross Brawn, the Ferrari technical director, who clearly believes the Finn may be high on the wish list for the famous Italian team if Schumacher retires when his current contract expires at the end of 2006.

"Raikkonen has shown he is [the heir apparent] more than anyone," Brawn said. "It was evident last year, and in Spa we saw that now he has the tools for the job. He is an exceptional driver; he doesn't appear to make many errors."

Brawn's enthusiasm was echoed by Jean Todt, Ferrari's sporting director. "I like Kimi," he said. "He's quick, naturally talented. He doesn't make wild statements. He doesn't try to raise his profile. I like that. And in my rally career I had a lot of contact with Finnish drivers so I know them very well. I like Kimi's style, but for the moment it's really only from a spectator's point of view."

Until that changes, Raikkonen is simply looking forward to meeting the challenge of 2005 when Juan Pablo Montoya arrives from Williams to take over as successor to David Coulthard.

"I don't care who my team-mate is," he said. "The real challenge in this business for all of us is to beat Michael Schumacher. I think we can have a chance of doing that next year, but we must have a reliable car from the outset if we are to do it.

"What Montoya does won't have any effect on the way I operate. He'll work with his own engineers and I'll be doing my own thing. It's as simple as that. It won't change my position in the McLaren team."