Kimi Raikkonen would love to be a winner in Canada again with Hethel-backed Lotus, but not via Montreal's lottery.

Eastern Daily Press: Kimi Raikkonen had a mixed time of things taking his Lotus E21 around the streets of Monte Carlo. Photo: Alastair StaleyKimi Raikkonen had a mixed time of things taking his Lotus E21 around the streets of Monte Carlo. Photo: Alastair Staley (Image: LAT Photographic)

Raikkonen has taken the chequered flag once in nine attempts at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – back in 2005 at a time when he was with McLaren.

To triumph at the track requires not just skill but on occasion an element of luck given the variables on offer, not least the weather as rain can often strike as is forecast this weekend.

But as Raikkonen proved in 2008 when vying for the win with Robert Kubica, sometimes the most unexpected events can occur.

'I have won there which was pretty good, but I have experienced some setbacks there as well,' said Raikkonen. 'Many times the race has been quite a lottery as there seem to be different things which affect it.

'The weather can change a lot; sometimes the tyres or the track aren't working very well; sometimes there are a lot of safety cars.

'Then sometimes another driver (Lewis Hamilton) runs into the back of you when you're waiting at a red light. Overall, the stop-and-go style of the circuit is something I quite enjoy.'

Raikkonen experienced similar misfortune in Monaco 10 days ago when he collided with Sergio Perez, with the McLaren driver going for an improbable gap into the chicane on the Lotus star.

It resulted in Perez later retiring with overheating brakes, whilst Raikkonen managed to salvage 10th after dropping to 16th following a pit stop for a change of tyres after collecting a puncture.

Prior to the accident the 33-year-old Finn was running fifth and was only poised to drop a few points in the title race to Sebastian Vettel, but now finds himself 21 adrift.

'For sure we lost ground on the lead in Monaco, but it's not over yet,' added Raikkonen. 'It's still early in the season and 21 points behind is not too much to catch up, especially if Sebastian has a bad weekend too at some point.

'The most important thing is we return to our race level before Monaco to get things going our way as soon as possible.'

As for Raikkonen's spat with Perez, stating 'maybe someone should punch him in the face' to teach him a lesson given his driving exploits of late, he insists that is now in the past.

'No-one wants to lose so many points thanks to the actions of another driver, but that race is over,' added Raikkonen. 'Monaco is just a distant memory and I'm all ready for Canada.'