McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen gave an interview prior to the San Marino Grand Prix weekend in Imola, talking about his first season with the team to date.

The following was released by the team's title sponsor, West:

Q: The first race of the season was a great way to start your relationship with the team, ending the race on the podium. How did you feel at that moment?
Kimi Raikkonen: It was a new experience that's for sure. In some ways it was a lucky race and in others an unlucky one. I ended up going through in the gravel after the first corner accident but then I made it to the podium.

Q: You managed to avoid that accident. Was it instinct or do you have time to think about it?
KR: You just keep an eye on where everyone is going and try and get by where you can. But I got something stuck under my car and went straight on. But it was good to start the season with a podium even if the next two races were not so good as I failed to finish. I am still confident as we know we can get to grips with the situation.

Q: How do you mentally stay strong when you have retirements like the one in Brazil when you went out of the race very near the end?
KR: I don't think about it too much. Last year I finished the first race and not the next two. That's motor racing and you just need to look forward to the next race.

Q: How come the car seems to be very reliable in testing, but falters a bit in the races. Can you explain that?
KR: It's very difficult to say why. We did look last week and so I hope we have found something which will work well in Imola, but we must wait and see. We have been a bit lucky in that respect in that our failures seem to come in the race.

Q: Do you enjoy testing?
KR: Yes, I like it because it's more relaxing. You are trying to make the car go quicker and are testing new parts so it is always interesting. Racing is the nicest part of the job, but the testing is very important and sometimes it is a good feeling testing new parts and trying to make the car go quicker.

Q: How is your relationship with David (Coulthard)and Alex (Wurz)?
KR: I think we are working well together, even though it is early days and we do not actually know one another very well yet. Things are bound to keep on improving.

Q: What do you think about the Imola circuit?
KR: It's nice to drive, quite difficult and very challenging with many different corner types. The testing we did most recently was mainly aimed at tyre work for this race. I hope this track will suit our car and my driving style. The track requires quite high levels of downforce. West McLaren Mercedes went well here last year and I hope we can do the same or better.