Vettel challenges Räikkönen in badminton

World Champion Sebastian Vettel throws a challenge to Kimi Räikkönen who is now returning to the playfield.

Vettel has finetuned his skills in badminton during the whole time Kimi has been in WRC. The men's challenge games in the badminton field have already been known for years.

Vettel has never won Räikkönen in badminton but according to his longtime game-buddy Tommi Pärmäkoski, Vettel believes he will also beat Kimi on the playfield in future.

– Sebastian asked me to say hello to Kimi, to tell him that he is ready whenever it suits Kimi. Sebastian has improved a lot during these two years and he believes that whereas Kimi is a bit rusty, he again is much more better than before. He boasts wondering if Kimi will even score one point anymore, Pärmäkoski said throwing more water on the challenge -sauna heater.

– However Kimi is damn good and talented in every way, Pärmäkoski admitted.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Webber keen to challenge in Korea

Mark Webber seeks to challenge for victory in the Korean Grand Prix

Mark Webber says he is keen to challenge for his first win of the F1 season in this weekend's Korean Grand Prix.

While Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel has stormed to a second straight title, Webber has yet to visit the top step of the podium having been comprehensively outperformed by the German thus far in 2011.

Despite his lack of victories, Webber has finished inside the top five in every race bar Monza – where he retired early on – which means he remains in contention to finish as runner-up to Vettel in the title race.

With that in mind, the Australian heads into the Korean GP eager to challenge for victory and make amends for the accident that put him out last year and ultimately played a big part in his championship bid faltering towards the end the campaign.

“I'm looking forward to racing again this weekend,” he said. “Korea is a track that I like driving on – the last two sectors are very busy with lots of corners and I'm also expecting the racing to be pretty exciting on the long straights too.

“The DRS is allowed for the second part of the long straight and should help with overtaking in the race. As always, we need to see how the tyres perform on race day, which will have a large bearing on the results. I'm looking forward to being right in the mix for the win.

"It's the second year we will go to Korea and it will be interesting to see if the track surface has changed over the winter at all."

Source: Crash.net

Button: We need to sort out 'little things'

Jenson Button admits McLaren need to work on "the little things" if they want to challenge Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel

The 2009 World Champion claimed another impressive podium at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing second behind runaway leader Vettel. The McLaren driver started third on the grid, but a poor getaway saw him drop to seventh. His poor start though did give him an opportunity to show off his overtaking skills as a series of impressive passes saw him move up to P2.

Although delighted with the result and his 'fun' with some of the drivers, Button concedes McLaren need to iron out a few things.

"It was a really fun race actually, fighting with Lewis (Hamilton), with Michael (Schumacher) and with Fernando (Alonso)," said Button. "It was a good race, not for the lead which was a shame but it was always going to be very difficult when we were down in seventh at one point, and sixth after the start.

"I had a tough start to the race, but a lot of fun and the atmosphere here is fantastic, it's electric. So another good race, we've just got to get everything together on race weekends and then we'll hopefully challenge Red Bull and Seb. It was a great job by the team, it's just the little things we need to work on."

Although Button's pass on Alonso for second place appeared to be easy, the Briton says he it wasn't quite so straightforward.

"It's a weird thing with the DRS. We get to a point on the straight where we don't go anywhere, we sit on the limiter. I made a mistake at Ascari, and Fernando got a gap and I couldn't get any closer, but on the hard tyre Fernando was struggling for grip," he said.

"That is the good thing about KERS: you can catch people out if they make a mistake. It was a tense moment but I eventually pulled a gap and easy to settle into the race."

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton: McLaren 'definitely can't challenge for pole'

Lewis Hamilton admits that McLaren-Mercedes is not presently in the same ballpark as Red Bull Racing and Ferrari in F1 2011 - although at the Nürburgring, he concedes, 'anything can happen'...

Lewis Hamilton has all-but written off his and McLaren-Mercedes' chances of doing battle for pole position for this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring following the opening day of practice – although he concedes that the team is likely to be closer to the pace come the race.

Hamilton lapped just fifth-quickest in the morning FP1 session and seventh in the afternoon, on both occasions more than a second shy of the benchmark set respectively by Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber. The British star admits that McLaren is not in the same ballpark as either Red Bull Racing or Ferrari at present – although on the plus side, he is confident that with the FIA's off-throttle blown-exhaust ban having now been reversed, the MP4-26 is at least more competitive than it was last time out at Silverstone, where he could qualify only tenth.

“It's been a productive day for us,” the 26-year-old revealed. “We went through all the running plans that we had, and and my long-run pace is better than it was at Silverstone, which is a good thing. We seem to be maybe two or three tenths off at least the Ferraris [on race pace], and then over a single lap they've definitely got about a second on us.

“We definitely can't challenge for pole, but then having said that, it's only Friday, so it's too soon to draw conclusions – we don't know what fuel level everyone was on or what programmes the other teams were running. We might be pleasantly surprised tomorrow to find that we are heavier than others, and that again brings us closer – but historically, that's not the case.

“The race is a completely different thing, though. The Ferraris look like they're up there, and the Red Bulls seem quick too, so we expect to probably be just behind them, [but] anything can happen. Who knows if it's going to rain? We'll be working hard tonight and tomorrow to maximise our chances.

“We've got some small updates on the car and they seem to be working, which is also positive – we're still pushing as hard as we can, and the car's feeling quite good. It's just we can't carry the same speed or go any faster through the corners through the car sliding, so we're going to refine the set-up to see if we can find some more downforce. That's the only thing that stops me and Jenson [Button – team-mate] from doing the same laps as them.

“Nonetheless, we have made improvements this weekend. The engine mode that we had in Barcelona and, for example, in Valencia works a lot better than what we had at Silverstone; just on that long run compared to the others it seemed [to be] two or three tenths [off], which is much, much better than the last race. We need to just keep on going in that direction.”

Countryman and fellow former F1 World Champion Button, for his part, lapped in the region of half-a-second adrift of Hamilton in both sessions, placing sixth in the morning and only eleventh at the close of play. The 31-year-old confessed that it had not been the easiest of days for him.

“It's been a slightly frustrating day for me,” he reflected. “I couldn't get a good balance on the car this morning – and, once we'd found some rear grip in the afternoon session, my KERS Hybrid system was no longer working. That cost me quite a bit of lap time under braking and on corner exits. Then, with 20 minutes of the afternoon session remaining, a problem with an experimental exhaust brought my day to a premature end. It was a test part, and failures sometimes happen when you're trying new things on a Friday.

“Looking to tomorrow, I think it will be difficult for us to beat the Red Bulls in qualifying – but our aim is to race with the front-runners on Sunday afternoon.”

“Jenson had a KERS Hybrid problem today, and consequently had to do a bit of running without the lap time benefits that KERS Hybrid confers,” corroborated the Woking-based outfit's team principal, Martin Whitmarsh. “The experimental exhausts that he was testing also failed, which cut short his track time – but that's an inevitable result of our having to use Fridays for testing.

“Lewis had a more trouble-free day and completed a competitive long run, which was encouraging – but today was basically a data-gathering exercise, and we'll now analyse that data overnight in preparation for qualifying tomorrow.”

Source: Crash.net

Three Ferraris for Massa

Maranello, 29 April – He celebrated his thirtieth birthday four days ago and today, Felipe Massa was able to enjoy an experience that would be amazing for most people and was even unusual for him, even though he has been a frequent visitor to Maranello for the past ten years: he drove three different Ferraris at the Fiorano track all on the same day. This came about as part of a promotional film being shot for www.ferrari.com, featuring the 458 Italia, the 458 Challenge and, of course, the 150º Italia.

“It was so much fun: I’ve never driven three Ferraris one after the other like that,” said the Brazilian driver. “After so many hours in the simulator it was nice to have a break and enjoy myself on track.”

Special guests at this promotional day were India’s Ambassador to Italy, Debabrata Saha, accompanied by his wife Homai and the Consul General, S.K. Verma who, along with some friends, were guests of Tata Consulting Service, one of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s partners.

Before being taken for a lap of the track in a 458 Italia, driven by test driver Dario Benuzzi, the Indian delegation visited the Ferrari factory where they were able to admire the new FF car.

Source: Ferrari.com

Video: Lewis Hamilton and Tony Stewart's Track Challenge

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Driver Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR'S Tony Stewart test each other's course knowledge



Source: OfficialMcLarenVids

Kimi challenges the journalists to a pit stop

Source: FerrariTV

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi – first days setting record. Thursday Alonso and Massa challenging motorsport journalists

While the Formula One circus is arriving in Abu Dhabi for the last and decisive race in the Championship, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has been opened for almost a week to the public by now.

Excellent results over the first days: thousands of fans literally overran the 20 futuristic attractions at the theme park. A success reflecting also the sales at the Park's Ferrari Store, which immediately became the store with the highest sales and an over 40% higher turnover than the best run Ferrari Store in the world with an average purchase double of what a store inside a theme park usually registers.

At the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi everything is ready for a series of events ahead of the preparations for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Amongst those a competition the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro dedicates to the motorsport journalists: tomorrow the eight F10 simulators will be used by the journalists for their "qualifying". On Thursday morning the four best drivers will challenge Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. Naturally on the Yas Island circuit.

Source: Ferrari.com

Pics of Red Bull Kimi Räikkönen Challenge 2010

Some pics of Kimi Räikkönen Today!

Click here to view more

Courtesy: tigerlily - asshey_megane

Red Bull Kimi Räikkönen Challenge 2010

The energy drink Red Bull will carry out Red Bull Räikkönen Challenge during WRC Rally Japan 2010 to commemorate the 10th round. The junior team Citroen driver Kimi Räikkönen will be challenged to race in cart which will be held in Chitose Outlet Lera facilities.

You can participate in the race, if you meet certain conditions like being at least 20 years old and at least 150cm in height (read below for more details).

September 07 (Tue), 12:00 first 100 people can participate by visiting the reception start playing (from 10:00 am to distribute tickets.)

13:00 After the reception, we form a time trial qualifying courses with a special engine cart at store parking lot, top 3 advance to finals. And after the closing of a special course Lera 20:30 Chitose Outlet passage from the facility, EV (electric) cart will be used to race in the final.

Kimi Räikkönen is former F1 and current WRC driver, do not miss this opportunity to challenge him.

Name: Red Bull Räikkönen Challenge (challenge Räikkönen Red Bull)

Cart: 4.2kw electric cart equipped with motor racing. Can reach a top speed of 130 km per hour.

Date: September 7, 2010 (Tuesday)qualifying 13:00, 20:30 Finals

Venue: Lera Chitose Outlet (Address: 1-2-1 Minami Chitose, Hokkaido Kashiwadai)
Qualifying /2 parkingspecial course (length: about 220m)
Final / Special course in the Outlet Mall (length: about 250m)

Description: kart racing. Time trial scheme, qualifying final two phases. The finalists battle with Kimi Räikkönen time trial.

Organizers: Red Bull Japan Co., Lera Chitose Outlet

Sponsored by: J Sports Broadcasting, Inc.

Cooperation: Bridgestone Corporation, Japan Rally, FM Northwave Inc., Peugeot Citroen Japon Co., Ltd.

Conditions of participation:
- 20 years old.
- Ordinary vehicles driver’s license required (please make sure you have a license on the day.)
* Limited height (Approximate Height: 150cm or more.)

The following people can not participate:
* High Heels, sandals (including Crocs), skirt, who is wearing shorts
* If you can not sit by the build sheet
- Pregnant
- If you have heart disease or have abnormal blood pressure
- Neck, back, hips and spinal abnormalities in people
- Drunk, who are influenced by drugs
- Aids are not fixed, people wearing prosthesis

How to join:
Come first at the reception. First 100 people.
(Tickets distributed from 12:00 at the reception)
2 parking places reception before the Red Bull umbrella.

Schedule:
Tickets distributed 10:00
12:00 to 13:00 Reception Cup
13:00 – qualifying race (time trial one by one, 100)
15:00 Qualifying Results
Outlet Mall closed 20:00 (Go to the spectators watching area)
20:30 to 21:00 race (time trial one by one, 10)

Note: the content and schedules are subject to change.

Source: redbull.jp - RALLYSPORTLIVE
Courtesy: Saif

Kimi enjoying ‘tough’ challenge in Germany

It’s asphalt Jim, but not as he knows it. Kimi Räikkönen is competing on only his second-ever asphalt WRC rally for Red Bull this weekend, and it’s on the Rallye Deutschland.

Germany’s round of the World Rally Championship is like no other. All three days of the event have a completely different character, which is not surprising as the event is made up of three old national events rolled up into one World Championship rally.

Day one is tight and twisty, through the vineyards that flank the Mosel River. One slip and the drivers are suddenly into the scenery, making their own Riesling. Day two is held over the fearsome Baumholder military ranges, using concrete roads that were originally designed for testing tanks. Finally, day three on Sunday is quicker and more flowing: some say that it even comes close to approaching normality.

After the opening day, we caught up with Kimi to find out his take on Germany, asphalt roads and the country’s most famous product…

How was the opening day of the Rallye Deutschland?
Kimi Räikkönen: It wasn’t easy, but I always knew that Germany was going to be tough: for sure the most difficult one of all the asphalt rallies. I think that’s mostly because every day is so different, so instead of just learning one rally, you are basically learning three rallies. But it’s all useful to get experience and we’ve ended the first day eighth, which is not too bad.

What’s been the most difficult thing about the opening day?
KR: I think it’s been that we’re running really far down the order, eighth place, so we had to face a lot of really dirty roads, with stones and gravel where the cars in front had been cutting the corners. This means that you have a very slippery surface right in the braking zones, which doesn’t help to build up your confidence.

So it’s not like the asphalt that you get on a racing circuit?
KR: No, in some places it’s more like the asphalt that you get in a gravel trap…

Sebastien Loeb has won here ever since Germany became part of the World Rally Championship. What is his secret?
KR: I don’t know. If I knew, I’d be doing it myself! But I suppose he just knows the car and the roads very well. It’s more or less a home event for him. But his performance here is really impressive; I don’t think anyone can touch him…

So what’s the plan for the rest of the Rallye Deutschland?
KR: We’re going to basically carry on what we’ve been doing, but try to get a little quicker as well. I want to get to the point where we can increase our speed without taking any extra risks. So far we’ve not made any mistakes and it would be really good if we could get to the end in the same way. Maybe it’s not the most exciting way to drive a rally, but it’s what we need to do.

Have you tried Germany’s most famous products yet: beer and sausages?
KR: I’ve had the sausages. The beer can wait until after the rally. And I’m sure it will taste even better if we have something to celebrate…

Source: Red Bull

A CHALLENGING INTERVIEWEE

Article from Ilta Iltalehti

- Hello it's Kimi. I won.

- Who was second?

- I don't know.

This phone conversation took place between Räikkönen and his publicist of the time Kikka Kuosmanen when Räikkönen was in Formula Renault.

The duo had agreed that Räikkönen would call Kuosmanen after each race to tell his topmost feelings. Räikkönen's family friend took care of Kimi's things and media-contacts until last year.

- You couldn't really get anything out of him no matter what you tried, Kuosmanen says.

Interviewing Räikkönen is its own form of art, but it is not impossible.

- I remember Kimi's first F1-tests in Jerez. At that time already I thought that this was not going to be easy. There wasn't even that much media present, remembers TS's F1-reporter Heikki Kulta.

- You just have to be patient. You may have to wait but you always get an interview. You should not be too aggressive. It is nice to work with Kimi, MTV3's Anette Latva-Piikkilä says.

- He could however talk a little louder, Latva-Piikkilä adds and laughs.

Like many other atheletes also Kimi is sick of answering self-evident questions.

- Now that you follow him, you can see that he hasn't changed in any direction. The race is forgotten in 15 minutes. He isn't interested in going through it. There is speaking if the subject is interesting, Kuosmanen says.

JARNO JUUTI

Source: Iltalehti
Courtesy: Leijona

A karting challenge

Montreal, 10 June – Almost the entire Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team, here in Canada for the eighth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, met up last night for a special go-kart race, with the personnel split into five times, one of them all women.

This friendly tournament organised by the team at an indoor venue a few minutes from the centre of Montreal, brought together engineers, mechanics, catering crew and logistics, with every competitor getting two chances to race.

At the end of an unforgettable evening, with a very unexpected grid, the twelve fastest took part in a race with a standing start. The Scuderia’s race drivers tackled the race with great professionalism, in a group that also included the latest addition to the Ferrari Driver Academy ranks, Laurence Stroll.

The eleven year old Canadian, who was yesterday announced as one of the young hopefuls of the Maranello school, lapped as quickly as the best, taking second place between Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in the final classification.

Source: Ferrari.com

Hirvonen challenges Räikkönen to race in Helsinki

Mikko Hirvonen and other rally drivers will relax in August in a motor race held in Helsinki's Kalasatama.

There will be a real gathering of champions on the first weekend of August in Helsinki's Kalasatama. Of the WRC top drivers in addition to Ford's Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala also Petter and Henning Solberg and Sebastien Ogier have promised to participate, and so has MotoGP driver Mika Kallio.

Former world champions and other pentioners will be represented by Tommi Mäkinen, Markko Märtin, Juha Kankkunen, Timo Salonen and Markku Alen.

”We're supposed to be driving similar vehicles that were used in China in the race of champions, that is open rear-engine circuit cars, buggys and Legends cars”, Hirvonen, who is one of the organizers, tells STT.

The event, which takes place a week after the WRC rally in Jyväskylä, will climax on a final driven on Sunday. Sebastien Loeb, who leads the championship, is too busy to take part in the event but Kimi Räikkönen's participation is possible.

”An invitation has been sent but we still haven't got a reply”, says Hirvonen.

Hirvonen was in Helsinki on Wednesday to present the event and he will immediately head to New Zealand where the fifth WRC rally of the season will be driven in a week.

Hirvonen is third in the WRC series, 41 points behind the leader Loeb.

Source: Helsingin Sanomat
Courtesy: Dracena and Moominpappa