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Kimi to Ferrari: 'Give me more power'

SPIELBERG, Austria - When told at the 2014 Austrian GP on Sunday (June 22) to push up to his nearest rival, the radio answer from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was immediate.

"Well, give me more power!" Raikkonen told his engineer.

Raikkonen has notably struggled since returning to the Italian team in 2014, but so too has Ferrari with its newly V6-powered F14-T.

New team boss Marco Mattiacci said after the Austrian GP: "Kimi complained about the engine but it's up to us to give him a car with which he can deliver his value."

TICKING TIMEBOMB?

In red uniforms, tempers are fraying all over the Maranello based camp, whose cool Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher-led era now seems entirely of another time.

Now, rumours of discontent are rife.

Spain's Marca reports that, after the 2014 Canadian GP, Mattiacci had an angry exchange with Pat Fry, whose technical role at Ferrari has been in doubt for several months since the arrival of James Allison, who leads the 2015 project.

Marca claims Fry offered to resign after the Montreal row: "It's rubbish. Do not listen to these rumours."

Mattiacci, however, does not deny that a frank exchange after Canada took place, as Ferrari plots a desperate course to improve.

Mattiacci told: "I like meetings where people talk openly and honestly and no one is silent.

"After Canada, we held meetings to discuss our weaknesses and in what direction we should go for the future."

'IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR YEARS'

That is because, although Raikkonen wants more "power", Mattiacci said Ferrari needs to work on every single area of the car for 2015, not just the underperforming engine.

Mattiacci said: "I would not isolate one area. I do not think that all of our problems are related to the engine, although the one Mercedes has produced is excellent."

Indeed, in Austria, Mercedes-powered cars totally dominated the top seven finishing positions - with the only exception being Fernando Alonso in fifth place.

He may not have a winning car, but - when it comes to driver skill - Alonso has the respect of the entire paddock.

Asked how satisfying that is, Alonso answered on Sunday (June 22 2014): "Not much, to be honest.  It's been like that for five years.

"There is always a satisfaction that everyone believes you are doing the maximum in the work you do - drivers, team bosses, fans. But I would rather have less respect and more trophies."

Alonso is quoted by AS newspaper as admitting that closing the gap to Mercedes in 2014 is "impossible".

2015, however, is another thing, despite rumours he is desperate for a change of scene after five barren years in red.

When asked if Mercedes' dominance can be ended after just one season, Alonso hesitated as he admitted: "Yes ... yes.

"I think a lot can happen from one year to the next, as we saw from 2013 to 2014. Especially this year, with these regulations, everything is very new, so I expect 2015 to be another huge step for everyone, including Mercedes, but those who are below them have more room to improve.

"We will catch up to Mercedes.  That is our hope," Alonso concluded.

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
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