Kimi 'learns nothing' using simulators

Kimi Raikkonen has explained that he's not a fan of sophisticated modern day F1 car simulators, for the very simple reason that they offer him very little in terms of improved race weekend performance.

"I just think that I can learn nothing in the simulator," Raikkonen told Swiss publication Speed Week. "I learn a new track quickly, without a simulator."

Raikkonen brushed aside suggestions that he was avoiding using simulators because of problems with feelings of claustrophobia in the test unit, or because they induce motion sickness as was widely reported to be the case with Michael Schumacher.

Raikkonen raised eyebrows last season ahead of the Indian Grand Prix in October when he revealed that despite never having raced at the Buddh International Circuit he still wasn't interested in getting in any practice in the simulator.

"I'm not like other drivers, so I haven't driven the simulator to learn it," he said at the time. "I like to go to different places and the challenge of driving a new circuit is always interesting," he added, pointing out that his approach had worked perfectly well for his first visit to South Korea's Yeongam circuit.

Raikkonen's confidence was also backed up by his performance in F1's first visit to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, which saw him immediately faster on the track than his team mate Romain Grosjean, who had been putting in extensive time in the brand new Lotus simulator at Enstone to learn the new track.

Teams have been increasingly reliant in using state-of-the art simulation technology ever since tough new restrictions on track test sessions were introduced into the sport, but it looks as though Raikkonen will leave most of the simulator use in the hands of Grosjean again in 2013.

That said, the 33-year-old stressed that he was aware that the team needed him to play his part in testing and development if Lotus are to succeed taking another step forward in the upcoming season.

"It's the whole game together; there are a lot of people involved and you cannot make it happen by yourself," Raikkonen said.

"It's just the team work and everybody trying to do the same thing and deliver the best that we can," he added. "I think it's been a good atmosphere in the team."