Video: Kimi Räikkönen Crash at Swatch Snow Mobile 2011

Kimi Räikkönen and his accident during Swatch Snow Mobile in Austria



Courtesy: Verena

Räikkönen hurt his wrist in a snowmobile race

F1-remigrant Kimi Räikkönen scared his fans in a show with his longtime partner Red Bull in Saalbach Austria.

The Finn who participated in the snowmobile race went too fast in a corner, the snowmobile fell down and the driver fell on the ground on his left hand.

The hard hit hurt but no bones were broken. The driver said he is okay although his hand naturally hurts. Racing with snowmobiles ended here.

News about Räikkönen's accident spread quickly all over. What made the fuss even bigger was that we still remember how Renault's driver #1 Robert Kubica injured severely in a rally accident last February.

Lotus-team's publicist sent calming information through twitter.

– We just talked with Kimi. He is okay. Only his wrist is sore and he will go and check it again on Monday, the team informed.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Red Bull Ring (A1-Ring) opening festivities

Last weekend was the official (re)opening of the Red Bull Ring - a race track in Spielberg, Austria, steeped in Formula One history. The opening attracted a variety of different racers as well as past and present greats from the motor sports scene. Take a look at the unveiling and find out what Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey think about it...



Source: NextgenAuto

Vettel, Lauda & Marko on the Red Bull Ring

The Red Bull Ring is officially open in Spielberg, Austria and it has already tempted motor racing stars Sebastian Vettel and Niki Lauda to check it out, with the help of Helmut Marko. Here's what they had to say about the Ring...

Sebastian Vettel – Formula 1 World Champion
I was 14-years-old the first time I was at Spielberg for a Formula König race and I watched the drivers there with great enthusiasm, including the Austrian, Bernhard Auinger. At that time I was very new to the Red Bull family. A lot of time has passed since then and it has changed a lot. I like the new track very much, as the core of the circuit remains the same. The downhill sections with the curves, which are still hanging to the outside, are very tricky, especially because today the track was wet. It would be very nice to drive a race here and I would be very happy if Formula 1 should return to the Red Bull Ring – preferably during my career! ;)

Niki Lauda – Three times Formula 1 World Champion
I first raced in Spielberg in 1971 and in 1984 and celebrated a home victory in the Austrian F1 Grand Prix. Today I went back and competed in the legend's race again, winning narrowly from Dieter Quester. It's really impressive what's happened here. I am very happy that the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg has been revived – it's a huge asset to the racing scene in Austria. The basic route is the same, but the whole course is in perfect condition and has similar modern facilities to those in Bahrain.

Helmut Marko – Red Bull Motorsport
What has been rebuilt, is truly unique. Not just the ring itself, but the entire project in Spielberg. The area is harmoniously integrated into the landscape. Not only motor sports fans, but families can spend an entire weekend there. The mood among the surrounding population is very good, everybody is happy that the area here has been revived.

Souce: Red Bull

Red Bull Ring opening attracts F1 stars

As we gear up for the launch of the F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria, we break down the state-of-the-art circuit to its component parts…

While there’s no Grand Prix this weekend, both Red Bull Racing F1 drivers will be at on track – at the opening of the new F1-spec Red Bull Ring in Austria.

On Sunday Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, along with Christian Horner and Adrian Newey will be in Spielberg at the former Österreichring for its grand unveiling.

At the event (it’s free to attend if you’re in the area) there will be a display from a Red Bull Racing car together with historic Formula One cars and The Flying Bulls, the historical aero display team.

Red Bull has taken the historic track and revamped and upgraded it to include a vehicle dynamics facility, off-road area and go-kart track, as well as two hotels and a country club.

The circuit which has seen its fair share of great races and a certain amount of controversy was dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2003. With the Red Bull Ring, the myths and legends of this racetrack will continue to exist to captivate motorsport enthusiasts now and in the future.

Österreichring/Red Bull Ring Historical Timeline

■1969 Opening of the Österreichring
■1970 More than 100,000 spectators cheer on Jochen Rindt at his home grand prix. A few weeks later he tragically dies in Monza
■1984 Niki Lauda wins his home grand prix
■1987 Austria is dropped from the Formula One calendar
■1996 Opening of the A1-Ring Austria
■1997 Formula One returns to the new A1-Ring
■2002 Team order at Ferrari: Rubens Barrichello let Schumacher overtake him, and Michael won the race. Some fans and pundits not impressed
■2003 Michael Schumacher wins the last F1 Grand Prix at the A1-Ring
■2011 The Red Bull Ring opens on May 15

Opening Day Programme

■Freestyle motocross show
■Flight show, Flying Bulls & Hannes Arch
■Historic Formula 1 race
■Static presentation Canadian American Challenge Cup
■Red Bull Racing & Toro Rosso Formula 1 teams
■Formula 1 stars from the past to the present
■Live music at the Red Bull Brandwagen

Source: YallaF1

The Horse Whisperer – Moralists with short memories

After events in Hockenheim, a wave of hypocrisy swept through the paddock, with so many pundits, young and old, keen to have their say: some were promptly brought back into line by his master’s voice, while others continue to pronounce sentence willy-nilly.

The lastest missive comes from Austria, from a person, who having hung up his helmet, has never missed out on a chance to dispense opinions left and right, even if, on more than one occasion, he has had to indulge in some verbal acrobatics to reposition himself in line with the prevailing wind.

This time, good old Niki has missed out on a fine opportunity to keep his mouth shut, given that, when he was a Scuderia driver, the supposed Ferrari driver management policy suited him perfectly…

That aside, where was all his moral fury when, over the past years, so many have been guilty of more or less overt hypocritical actions? As for any predictions regarding a possible decision from the FIA World Council on 8 September, time will tell: in this sort of situation, the best policy is to respect and to trust in the highest level of the sport’s governing body.

Source: Ferrari.com

Rosberg tired but happy after first triathlon

Nico Rosberg was exhausted but happy after contesting his first full triathlon.

The Mercedes driver, now a triathlon aficionado like Jenson Button, completed the full Olympic distance of the world championship round in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

Button recently completed the comparable London triathlon in 2hr14mins, and 25-year-old Rosberg finished the swimming, cycling and running event in Austria in 2hr7mins, according to multiple German media reports.

DPA news agency said he was nearly disqualified at one point for a helmet violation during the 40km cycling stage.

"I've never done it (a triathlon) before," the German, who in Hungary had refused to disclose the name of the triathlon event to F1 reporters before departing for F1's August break, said.

"It was a great event -- very hard, but I had a lot of fun. In the last five kilometres, I had no energy left. How people can do it is amazing.

"This is a new passion for me," Rosberg added at Kitzbuhel.

After the cycling stint, 1.5km swimming leg and 10 kilometre run, he placed 44th overall, and 13th in the up-to-29 age category.

Meanwhile, next Thursday and Friday, Rosberg will be testing world championship karts with a clutch of fellow F1 drivers.

Also to feature names including Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Jaime Alguersuari, the test will take place at the Lonato circuit near Brescia in northern Italy.

Source: Motorsport

[Photos] Sebastian Vettel at Ennstal Classic in Austria

Click here to view all photos

[Video] Kimi vs. Taddy at the Erzbergrodeo review

Source: Red Bull

Kimi Raikkonen takes on Taddy Blazusiak at the Erzberg Rodeo showdown

Red Bull driver Kimi Raikkonen faced a brand new different challenge today, when he took on multiple trial bike champion Taddy Blazusiak at a breathtaking head-to-head race in Austria

After a hugely successful Formula One career, in which Kimi claimed the 2007 world title and 18 Grand Prix wins, the Finn is competing on the World Rally Championship for the first time this year. But on one of his rare weekends off, Kimi took part in a spectacular motorsport duel against another well-known Red Bull athlete.

Driving his usual Citroen C4 WRC, Kimi faced a rocky and twisty 13-kilometre stage at the Erzberg Rodeo, carved out of a spectacular mountainside quarry. His objective was to beat Polish enduro rider Taddy: who has made this territory his own by winning the Red Bull Hare Scramble, the highlight of the Erzberg Rodeo, for the past three years.

On the face of it the machines could not be more different. Kimi's Citroen C4 World Rally Car weighs 1230 kilograms, puts out around 300 horsepower and accelerates from 0-100 kilometres per hour in just over four seconds. The KTM trials bike ridden by Taddy weighs just 122 kilograms, has 71 horsepower and takes a bit longer to pick up speed.

However, the agility of the KTM bike - as well as Taddy's unparalleled knowledge of the dramatic course - made it a very close encounter. The stage was extremely rough and bumpy: a bit like the legendary Safari Rally in places. After a tight and twisty start, the road opened up and became quicker: handing the advantage to the rally car at the finish. In the end, Kimi beat Taddy by just over 25 seconds, watched by more than 30,000 people.

As part of the forfeit that had been agreed beforehand, Taddy was then faced with the task of washing Kimi's car at the finish. "Really, it was all about the fun today," said Taddy, who now moves onto the serious business of trying to win the Red Bull Hare Scramble for the fourth consecutive time on Sunday. "It was a real privilege for me to compete against Kimi and I hope that we put on a good show. I tried my hardest, but in the end it wasn't quite enough, so now I just have to congratulate Kimi. And wash his car too!"

Kimi concluded: "It's the first time that I've ever done anything like this and I really enjoyed myself. It was a very close contest and in the end I think our better top speed in the rally car is what helped us. In the slow parts, it was much more evenly matched. I like bikes a lot, so it was great to meet Taddy and chat with him. Now I have some time free in Austria, so I am going to come back and watch the Red Bull Hare Scramble on Sunday to wish Taddy luck. It's really exciting to watch."

Source: RallyBuzz

Raikkonen to take on bike rider Blazusiak

Kimi Raikkonen will take on extreme endurance bike rider Taddy Blazusiak on a 10-kilometre all-gravel course in Austria next month.

While Raikkonen will be at the wheel of his regular Citroen C4 WRC, Blazusiak will have to make do with his two-stroke KTM motorbike.

The showdown on June 5 is part of the build-up to Erzbergrodeo XVI, which is backed by Raikkonen’s sponsor Red Bull and claims to be the world’s largest off-road event for motorbikes. The main attraction is the Red Bull Hare Scramble, which is contested by 500 riders including Pole Blazusiak, who has won it three times in the past.

Ex-Grand Prix driver Raikkonen will be first to tackle the course, known as the ‘Iron Giant’, before Blazusiak takes his turn on board a KTM 250 EXC, which can top 140kph.

Organiser Karl Katoch said: “We are really happy that Kimi has taken up this challenge with enthusiasm. Our spectators will have the outstanding possibility to witness the ultimate comparison of a high-tech rally car versus the ultralight and powerful enduro motorcycle.”

Source: MaxRally

Sebastian Vettel interview videos

Sebastian cut his hair short!!!

Source: YouTube @TheSamDavies123

Vettel on Hands to Help Wings For Life

Sebastian joined his former boss Gerhard Berger at a Wings For Life fundraising event in Austria at the weekend.

The pair joined one of the founders of Wings For Life Heinz Kinigadner (pictured, right) the former motocross world champion who started the spinal cord research foundation in 2004 with Red Bull’s CEO Dietrich Mateschitz.

The Fullgas weekend held in Uderns also featured the Flying Bulls airshow, MX freestyler Jimmy Verburgh, Spanish trial bike hero Adam Raga and an exhibition of top racing cars and bikes.

Gerhard Berger was co-owner of Toro Rosso when Sebastian won his first grand prix for the Red Bull F1 team in Monza 2008.

Source: Red Bull