Raikkonen on double warning from the boss

Speaking of workplace relations, perma- silent Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen has been issued not one, but two public back- handed critiques by the president of Ferrari, Sergio Marchionne. The first came inthe Italian publication

La Gazzetta dello Sport, where Marchionne said, “He is a good guy and he is working, but we need him to [ help to] win the constructors' championship.”

Following that, Marchionne commented — on Finnish TV, no less — that Raikkonen needed to work on his motivational levels.

“I think Kimi has to show a higher level of commitment to the process,” he said. “There are some days when he is a little sluggish, but we'll see.”

The idea that the Ice Man lacks motivation hardly comes as a shock. The 37- year old seems to suffer through almost every non- racing component of his obligations for Ferrari. His aloofness is legend and his disinterest in playing the F1 game — especially where media interaction is concerned — is something he almost wears with pride.

Search YouTube and you’ll find multiple compilations of Kimi’s confused, mumbled and downright tetchy responses to interviewers’ questions.

Now Ferrari has a sniff of a chance in the constructor’s championship title run, that aloofness probably seems a little more damaging from a team- spirit pointof- view. Two verbal warnings in as many weeks? Watch your back, Kimi.