Raikkonen moves on from 'staggering blow'

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he will not be changing his approach at the Canadian Grand Prix despite Monaco being a "staggering blow."

The Finn crashed into Force India's Adrian Sutil, finished without any points and relinquished the drivers' championship lead to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton in Monaco.

Raikkonen said coming in ninth was not pleasant. "I didn't like it at all. It was the first race of the season where I couldn't gain points and we can't have another one like that, because the fight for the championship is extremely fierce."

He blamed a lack of grip in the difficult conditions for his poor Monaco finish, adding that he normally liked driving in the wet.

However, Raikkonen remained upbeat about Ferrari's chances.

"Compared to last year [at the same time] the situation is much better. I won't change anything in my approach for the upcoming weekend.

"I said at the beginning of the season that I expect the title to be assigned at the last moment... nothing has been won and nothing has been lost. There is no point in panicking after the race at Monaco."

Raikkonen said Ferrari would have to be cautious at the Montreal circuit. "The qualifying is more and more important, thus it's fundamental to work well right from the start of the weekend to have a great car.

"At Montreal the stability during braking and when you go over the curbs is extremely important."

Raikkonen said the F2008's stability was better than last year but -- in a not so subtle dig at the piece of fortune that helped Hamilton win in Monaco -- that they would still need some luck.

"Let's hope that if the safety car has to be employed it will be at an opportune moment for us."

All About Kimi Raikkonen • Lewis Hamilton