After claiming a victory he called his easiest to date, Raikkonen shook the paddock. Lotus set a new benchmark and example of managing tyres and doing so with such ease. Add to that a fastest lap in the closing stages on worn rubber and the question arises: is this the man to beat this year?
Raikkonen's impecable tyre management was just half the story today in Australia. The Finn came from 7th place and stormed to a victory he called easy, after being the only one to manage a two stop strategy effectively.
But the bell rang on lap 56, as Alonso was closing in to challenge for victory. Raikkonen was on 5 laps older tyres than the Spaniard and three laps before the end, he set the fastest lap of the race, 1 second faster than the Ferrari. This was the cause of worry for many of his rivals.
"I was taking it easy most of the time". Raikkonen was not pushing in order to preserve the tyres and keep the strategy going. It was about a sensitive balance of pace and tyre management and no one could've done any better.
There is a lot of discussion going on whether the track configuration and the temperatures played part in Lotus' victory. Whatever the situation, the team seems to have built a better car than last year and most importantly, one that better suits Raikkonen's driving style. It's a car that's fast, and easy on its tyres. Which many drivers have said is key to sealing the championship this year.
Australia's low temperatures will be replaced with Sepang's soaring heat as the teams prepare for next week's Malaysian GP. And with high temperatures cutting through tyres like butter, it's hard not to imagine Lotus challenging for another win.
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