11-02-2007
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Raikkonen 'is the right champion'
BBC
 Raikkonen has the support of his fellow Finn Kovalainen
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen should retain his Formula One world title, despite McLaren's forthcoming appeal against the result of the Brazilian Grand Prix. That is the view of Renault driver and BBC Sport columnist Heikki Kovalainen.
"Kimi is the right champion. I don't think you can put it down to luck. He was the strongest driver over the year," Kovalainen said.
Lewis Hamilton could become champion if McLaren win their appeal against the BMW and Williams cars in Brazil.
 Interview: Renault F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren are complaining about the decision not to punish the teams after their cars were found to have been filled fuel that was too cold.
If Williams and BMW Sauber are excluded for the fuel irregularities, Hamilton could be moved up to fourth place, which would make him champion ahead Raikkonen.
 Kimi has never been the chattiest guy in the world but he can be very funny and he's a very smart guy
Heikki Kovalainen
Governing body the FIA's International Court of Appeal will hear the case on 15 November.
But Kovalainen believes the result should remain unaltered with Raikkonen confirmed as the 2007 world champion.
Kovalainen said: "It's fair to say that in the last few races Kimi was the strongest one. All of them had a bad race at some point, all made a few errors. But Kimi really was the strongest driver throughout the year.
"The right guy won it. I don't know all the details about the appeal, but let them sort it out and if there's anyone to blame and there is a guilty party let them face the penalty accordingly.
"But I really hope it doesn't change anything. I guess it needs sorting out but I hope the championship result stands."
Raikkonen has a poor public image because of his monosyllabic approach to interviews, but Kovalainen says his countryman is misunderstood.
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"Kimi is a really nice guy," Kovalainen said. "He is very honest and fair and never gets involved in things that aren't his business.
"People in F1 like him because what you see is what you get. He's never been the chattiest guy in the world but that's how he is.
"He's got a really good sense of humour. I get on very well with him and he can be very funny. Whatever people say about him, he's a very smart guy.
"I see things said about him and they make me smile, but he never gets involved in a war of words or anything.
"Sometimes, he says things in a clever way and it shows his intelligence."
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