Thursday, November 4, 2010

The party with Kimi and Alonso

Posted by Leo Turrini Wed, 03/11/2010

Some of you have wanted me to re-remember the craziest latest events that have taken place on the podium in Interlagos. Obviously it means 2007 and 2008. I have written again and again about both of them so I will only add some more details to enrich the repertoire.

It was 2007. The race had just ended and the incredible had happened. The blond was crowned winner of the world by taking advantage of the last chance at the end of a breathtaking race which ended a season of worrying things because of spies, attempted or suspected sabotage etc.

We are in a tiny conference room. On top of that a terrifying storm lands on the track after the awards ceremony. Behind the scenes they were examining the yellow gasoline but obviously we knew nothing about it.

Then, almost swimming... Räikkönen reached the press room, followed by runner-up Felipe Massa and third placed Fernando Alonso. Before going to the table for the drivers, Kimi stops to embrace dramatically ... the Cola! The Cola!!! It's a surreal scene, so far I have embraced Cola only once: one night in Madrid, football affairs.

Minus that one horrible episode, when Brazil was knocked down by thunder and lightning one thing jumped in front of the eyes of reporters and me.

Apart from the natural happiness of Raikkonen who was like a child in front of the gifts under the Christmas tree in the morning, well, the happiest was ... Alonso!

I'm not kidding. Fernando had just lost the title by only one point, if Massa would have had a DNF the title would have been his. However his joy over Hamilton's collapse was obvious. Evident. Sincere.

In fact the Spaniard took the microphone and declared: 'I'm very happy for Kimi, I was the reigning champion but he is a worthy successor, he has now written his name in gold in the Formula One -world and is one of my opponents that I admire and respect more, he has waited long for this.' He didn't add Hamilton only because it is always right to avoid hype and exaggerations.

Ohibò. Räikkönen lays his hand on Massa's shoulder and the scene is so striking that it almost hurts the eyes. Massa however has the look of someone who has just experienced a terrible death in the family, not the death of the cat but the premature death of the entire hen-house.

I just described the incident to prove that there is a reality that isn't appreciated by everyone: sometimes, even in today's Formula One, which is full of clones and robots, there are drivers who are capable of feeling the pleasure of sincerity.

Courtesy: Nicole

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