Kimi Räikkönen Q&A: We’ll have to be smart to win

Lotus’s Kimi Räikkönen remains very much the joker in the pack of the 2012 championship, sitting fourth in the standings - ahead of the likes of Hamilton and Button - despite not having won a race. The Finn’s secret is consistent podiums - a trend he plans to continue at Monza on Sunday, even if he is starting from the fourth row - and he hence believes the title is still possible, as he explained exclusively to Formula1.com…

Q: Kimi, you’ve never won at Monza. Isn’t it about time? What are the chances tomorrow?
Kimi Räikkönen: Well, I have been fast here many times, but then funnily something always happened. (laughs) So let’s hope that we give ourselves a chance tomorrow.

Q: What would you sacrifice to win the race - black in front of a sea of red?
KR: We don’t sacrifice anything. We are just doing our best. Of course we want to win and we will do anything possible to get there. We have to be smart.

Q: What does being smart mean?
KR: To get the best out of what we have?

Q: Is that all?
KR: Yep!

Q: You start from the fourth row tomorrow. What does that mean here in Monza?
KR: Well, it’s no secret if I say that it is not the best possible place to start, but that is where we ended up after two days so it is all about making a good start and getting through the first chicane without any issue. (laughs) Then I am sure that we can fight for a podium. 

Q: There is a lot of talk about the Spa start. This sort of start accident has happened many times before, so why so much fuss now?
KR: I have no idea. I was not involved in the issue so ask the people who were. I have nothing to say about it.

Q: But the consequence is that now everybody is talking about closed cockpits? Do you have an opinion on that?
KR: I think this sport is dangerous and if you are not happy to take the risk then you should do something else. I am sure there are plenty of drivers who are willing to take the risk driving a Formula One car as it is now. 

Q: Are you eyeing the championship? What has to happen to make it happen? Your team principal Eric Boullier said that you are still in the game for the title…
KR: We need a bit stronger package if we want to win, but yes, we are still in it. One race can change the whole situation in your favour. We are not yet as fast as we would like, so be sure that I will do my best tomorrow.

Q: What do you mean by a stronger package? What does it include? The car, the aero, and the driver?
KR: Everything has to get better. We need more speed, more downforce… then we will see. 

Q: You and the team seem to hit it off. Will you carry on into 2013?
KR: I am happy this year here - and for next year let’s see. In Formula One you never know. Things can change overnight. (laughs) 

Q: Other teams desperate for results have no doubt been knocking on your door. What - and who - could lure you away? A bigger team with limitless resources? A bigger salary? 
KR: I have no interest in talking about those things because one word about it would get hyped into many half true stories, so I’ll keep it to myself.

Q: What about a return to Ferrari? Are you ready to swap black for red? 
KR: Same answer as before.

Q: Watching you stroll through the paddock, you seem to be so laidback. Are you now beyond the huge ambitions that seem to be the name of the game for so many other drivers?
KR: I am just who I am. I don’t have to pretend to be somebody else. I do my own thing and I am happy with what I am doing. 

Q: What’s still the best thing about being a Formula One driver? 
KR: For sure not talking to the media. I am not a big fan of b*llsh*t questions. 

Q: So what kind of questions are you happy to answer?
KR: Such a question doesn’t exist! (laughs)

Q: So let’s get back to the usual driver question after qualifying - where do you see yourself finishing the race?
KR: Hopefully we have a stronger package than the guys in front of me. It is a long race. Doing a good first lap will be crucial.

Q: Who is the logical winner for you?
KR: Ask me after the race - I have never pretended to be a soothsayer. (laughs)

Source: Formula1.com

Räikkönen and NASCAR: What Formula 1 is saying

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Michael Schumacher in NASCAR, he himself dismisses this - Jenson Button believes in Kimi Räikkönen

The NASCAR switch from Kimi Räikkönen, was the major theme of recent days in the United States. The Sprint Cup aces, especially the new leader Kyle Busch, took the imminent arrival of former Formula 1 World Champion very positive. The 31-year-old Finn, who has three test days behind him will give his debut in the NASCAR Truck Series on 20 May in Charlotte.

NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to Räikkönen - and has another proposal: "It would be nice if Michael Schumacher would come here and get involved in a trial," Earnhardt suggested on the edge of the NASCAR weekend in Texas. "All of us would really like to see that. Since it would not matter if you think something is right or wrong. All would look at it." But this idea will remain a dream: "I'm not a fan of cars with roof," Schumacher said tersely in Malaysia.

But there are also NASCAR insiders in the current Formula 1 paddock. One who knows exactly what Räikkönen is getting into is Narain Karthikeyan. The Indian driving for HRT Racing did nine truck races last year. He never got into top 10 and was voted at the end of the year – thanks to an international online voting - the most popular truck driver 2010 as a complete surprise.

"It will not be easy for him," warned Karthikeyan. "It is very difficult there. He's clearly a talented driver and he is doing it right. He has looked for a good team and is testing a lot. He has now tested on the Rockingham Speedway, but Charlotte will then open his eyes. It's scary when you chase at full speed through the corners. If you drive all the time over 300 km/h, it is really hard work. But he will be quick there."

Jenson Button showed much understanding: "Kimi seemed to be happy to leave Formula 1. Maybe he wanted to have it more relaxed. He will find that in the states for sure. For drivers who are accustomed to slicks and wings, it is always difficult to drive all of a sudden in the NASCAR oval." Button also doesn’t show any prejudice, "These guys do that all their lives and they are no nose pickers.The change was difficult for many. Juan Pablo has taken a little while, but now he is competitive. I'm sure with Kimi it will be the same. He will prove his talent."

Felipe Massa agrees with Button largely. "I expect that he will not have it easy," said Massa. "It is something completely different and he has to start from scratch. The situation is quite different and a NASCAR is driven differently." Also the Brazilian compares the new situation with Montoya.

"Montoya had a few years his hands full, only now he can fight for the top 10. It is a completely different world. Kimi has certainly a great talent, but there he first has to learn. If he manages to do that, he may succeed in this series. First of all, he will start in a lower class if I have been informed correctly. We'll see. Apart from that of course I wish him all the best."

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg hasn’t thought about NASCAR. "It does not come to question for me. I don’t think I would enjoy. But if Kimi enjoys it and the races are exciting, it is certainly a great story. So why not?" The 20th May will provide more information when Räikkönen has done his first race on the fast 1.5 miles oval in Charlotte.

Source: Motorsporttotal
courtesy: Miezicat

Ferrari Finali Mondiali 2010

Source: ferrariworld

Kimi's comeback would surprise his racing fellows

A year ago after Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari announced that they had broken the signed contract for this season with Kimi Räikkönen. Now they are pondering on Singapore paddock whether Räikkönen could switch back to F1 from rally in 2011.

Turun Sanomat asked about his chances from people who have worked with him and from people who had raced with him.

Peter Sauber was the team manager who hired the 21-year old Finnish talent straight from Formula Renault -serie to F1 in 2001. Sauber lifted up his hands when I asked him how realistic the thought of Räikkönen's comeback to F1 sounds.

– I have absolutely no idea, I really don't know. Of course it could be possible after one year in rally. Otherwise I wouldn't have hired Nick Heidfeld myself.

– Personally I would be very pleased if Kimi would come back. I like that guy. He is so different and talented, Sauber said.

Heidfeld was Räikkönen's first team mate. How does he react to the talks about Kimi's possible comeback?

– If Kimi would want it then I'm sure that he could do it without the smallest adjusting problems. I was away myself for a long time and I believe I can do it too.

– In any case Kimi's one year away is not the same as Michael Schumacher's three years, Heidfeld said.

Jenson Button was one of the young talents the family Robertson brought to F1 along with Räikkönen. Button does not think that he will see his racing fellow on GP-tracks anymore.

– I don't think that Kimi likes this sport so much that he would still come back. At least it didn't look like that last year. It would also be difficult because Kimi would of course only want to drive a good car.

– Kimi seems to enjoy it in rally and he even flies there at times. But if Kimi himself would want to come back then there wouldn't be any problem with that, he would drive just as he did before, Button says.

Chris Dyer worked as Räikkönen's race engineer in Ferrari when the duo made miracles in 2007 with winning the WDC.

Ferrari's strategist knows Räikkönen's skills and ability to adjust, but on the other hand he also knows about his love for rally.

– It would be a surprise if Kimi would come back to F1. You can see from his face how much he likes rally. I think the managers are more for the comeback than he is.

– In itself the return of a driver who is on Kimi's level would be easy. One year isn't much. It would also be in his advantage when others have to get used to the new Pirelli tyres. And Kimi can also already use the KERS-button well.

What about Räikkönen's attitude towards F1-driving?

– I never noticed at any point that Kimi would have seemed less interested than he used to be. Yet it doesn't matter. I know Kimi so well that I know he does exactly what he wants to do next year and I don't want to start guessing over it one way or another, Dyer stated.

Fernando Alonso shook his head when asked of Kimi's chances to come back.

– I don't have the faintest idea. We drivers always want to do what we feel is best for us.

Felipe Massa was of the same opinion.

– Kimi seems to like rally more than F1. Personally I would never go to rally. It doesn't suit my head. Only Kimi himself knows what he wants, Massa said.

Renault's Robert Kubica could become the Finn's team mate should he decide to come back to F1.

– Anything is possible in F1. If Kimi decides to come back then I'm sure everybody welcomes him back. It wouldn't be difficult for him to adjust to all this again because rally is completely different.

– But I don't know about Kimi's plans. If I would be Kimi I would stay in rally but I don't say it because I would want him to stay away, I say it because I know how great a WRC-car is and since my nature is what it is, I would choose rally if I was Kimi.

Nico Rosberg who has closely witnessed how difficult it has been for Schumacher to come back is assured that Kimi would have no problems if he would come back.

– I know that Kimi likes to drive F1-cars. The comeback would surely be very easy. A different thing is if Kimi would accept that he wouldn't make as much money as he is used to. If Kimi demands the same salary as before, then I don't think that we will see him here anymore, Rosberg thinks.

Webber does not believe in the possibility of Kimi ever coming back to F1.

– Kimi has already learned a lot in rally. I'm sure it would be best for him to take advantage of it next year because he doesn't enjoy the numerous off-track tasks in F1. In rally Kimi has already made it half and half.

– I'm sure Kimi would want to drive F1-cars but when the hottest fire under the belt is gone I don't think it motivates him the same way it did before, Webber thought.

– I love rally and I have always followed it. It's just so damn difficult. I know what the notes mean there - and phew... I'm not laughing at all at the difficulties Kimi has had, Webber said.

Vettel tells it straight and says he misses Räikkönen and wants him back.

– Personally I would be really happy if Kimi would drive in F1 again. I think he is one of the best drivers and one of my most genuine favorites from the the whole F1-bunch.

– A year in rally hasn't taken an inch away of Kimi's competitiveness. I think that Kimi will come back if he gets the chance to drive for the WDC 100%, Vettel says.

Heikki Kovalainen would also be pleased if Kimi would come back.

– It would be cool to see how he would still do. A year in rally is not any hinder if Kimi only is motivated to drive in F1. Of course it also depends upon what kind of a car he would get his hands on since it looks like all top teams are closed. I'm sure Kimi has more than enough of challenges in rally too if he should decide to stay there.

Aki Hintsa from McLaren who also has been Räikkönen's family doctor is merciless when it comes to time lines.

– If Kimi will come back then it should happen now. It would still be possible in 2011 but after that he has no chances. The train leaves and nobody catches it. You can see it from Michael Schumacher's comeback. Kimi hasn't been away for as long as Schumi has. It would still be a different matter, Hintsa says.

– What is crucial is the human age that none of us can do anything about - no matter how talented you are. The more you are over 30 years, the more your ability to react will slow down and the ability to learn something new becomes more difficult. There's something new coming to these cars all the time so the equation also changes and the more it changes, the more it's minus, Hintsa sums up.

Turun Sanomat, Singapore

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Drivers concerned about rain

A handful of Formula One drivers have admitted they are concerned about the prospect of rain at this weekend's night race in Singapore.

In its two year history, the floodlit grand prix has not had a wet session but thunderstorms are forecast throughout the weekend.

Nico Rosberg said he is "definitely worried" about the weekend's weather. "It's going to be rather interesting if it rains, but I hope it doesn't because it will be quite messy."

F1's most experienced driver Rubens Barrichello added: "It is a very slippery track and luckily they have done a good enough job for the track not to be as bumpy as it was. We have no experience in the wet whatsoever here so we need to understand what the tyres will do and the visibility more than anything. Not so much from the spray but the wet coming onto the visor. I've never driven in the rain at night. I really don't know what to say about that. We just have to wait and see."

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was also unsure what would happen: "We've yet to experience any wet running on a floodlit track, so it will be interesting if that happens."

The concern is that the bright overhead lights will reflect off the wet surface of the track and the rain droplets themselves. There was a huge downpour in the Marina Bay area on Wednesday, and on Thursday another severe storm rolled in.

"It [Wednesday's rain] was so heavy that rivers of water flooded the track to a point where the tyres can't deal with it," said Sir Jackie Stewart. "In daylight, we can see beyond the track if we're heading into rain. But here, the light is contained on the circuit and everything else is dark. So it'll be very challenging on the drivers' peripheral vision."

Source: ESPNF1

'Senna's the best, Nico's the prettiest'

The Formula One drivers have spoken: Ayrton Senna is the best there ever was and Nico Rosberg is a 'beautiful woman.'

Bild am Sonntag recently conducted an anonymous survey involving 20 of the 24 current drivers, with only Williams and Renault not participating.

The 'Best Driver Of All Time' went to the late Ayrton Senna, who secured in 12 votes, while Michael Schumacher was second with three and Alain Prost second with two.

As for the 'Best Active Driver', that went to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, however, the Spaniard did not even feature in the top three for 'Who Will Win This Year's World Title'.

That was topped by Lewis Hamilton with eight votes while six drivers believe Sebastian Vettel will win it and two reckon it will go to Jenson Button.

Hamilton also led the 'Gnarliest Driver' category ahead of Alonso and Schumacher while Monaco was voted the 'Most Dangerous Track' ahead of Suzuka, Singapore and Montreal.

As for the 'Most Beautiful Woman In F1', TF1 reporter Marion Jollès clinched that title ahead of Hamilton's girlfriend, Nicole Scherzinger, while at least one of his rivals reckon Nico Rosberg deserves this honour.

Source: Planet F1

[Video] RTL Germany: Drivers talk about the World Cup 2010

In German...

Source: YouTube @darkanXik90

[Photos] FP1 and FP2 in Canada

Click here to view all images

F1 drivers get into World Cup spirit

Mark Webber has high hopes for Australia and Michael Schumacher believes in Germany’s World Cup chances, two sentiments Rubens Barrichello finds amusing.

“I feel sorry for you guys,” said Barrichello, a Brazilian native whose country is the favorite for a sixth title next month.

Although F1’s busy schedule won’t let drivers make the long trip to South Africa, some were talking up their country’s chances at the Turkish Grand Prix on Thursday.

Webber had fingers crossed that Australia gets a chance to play England, which Jenson Button believes is set to become champion for the first time since 1966.

Fernando Alonso warned Barrichello about Spain, the European champion, saying “Don’t trust him too much. A surprise can happen.”

Source: AP
Thanks: Whatever

[Photos] Amber Fashion show in Monaco + some Friday photos

Click here to view our Monaco GP gallery

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button for SkyNews

Source: YouTube - mickey911mj5

Hamilton defiant after criticism in drivers' briefing

Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren boss sounded defiant after the 25-year-old was chided by his fellow drivers on Friday.

In the wake of his weaving in front of Vitaly Petrov's Renault in Malaysia two weeks ago, some of Hamilton's rivals rallied to make clear their view that he should have received an actual penalty rather than a mere warning.

The drivers confronted Briton during a meeting late on Friday, and are believed to have pushed FIA race director Charlie Whiting to impose drive-through penalties for similar driving infractions in the future.

But Hamilton told British newspapers that he did nothing wrong.

"My feeling is that if you are defending into a corner and you weave more than once, that is illegal, but I am not aware that trying to break the tow was illegal," he said.

He also hinted that he felt his opponents had fixated on the Petrov incident.

"Maybe they should raise Mark Webber's incident in Melbourne. I didn't raise that," said Hamilton, referring to when the Australian driver drove into the back of his McLaren.

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh defended Hamilton, insisting that the 2008 world champion is "entirely safe" despite racing "passionately", but new GPDA chairman Nick Heidfeld insists that weaving on straights should not be condoned.

"I don't know if it was dangerous in this case, but it can be in some circumstances," said the German.

Source: F1 Complete

Red Bull to consider F1 drivers' futures - report

A meeting later this year will discuss the immediate futures of up to three Red Bull-backed F1 drivers.

The Swiss newspaper Blick said Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, as well as the main Red Bull team's Mark Webber, will be the subject of discussion between Helmut Marko and Dietrich Mateschitz in the autumn.

The report said that even though Buemi, 21, is highly regarded by team boss Franz Tost - while the youngster Alguersuari showed great improvement in Malaysia last weekend - their futures are not guaranteed.

It is believed that Red Bull consider the Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who is Red Bull Racing's reserve driver this year, is ready to step into a race seat.

Asked if he expects to keep scoring points now that he has broken his 11-race drought, Spaniard Alguersuari said after Malaysia: "Definitely.

"There is still a lot to come from my side. I am expecting a lot for the second half of the season."

Team boss Tost told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "Alguersuari is three to five tenths slower than Buemi. For him (Alguersuari), the majority of the circuits are still new.

"But we can see him coming slowly closer to Buemi."

Source: Motorsport

Australian GP boss slams 'lazy' F1 'prima donnas'

Ron Walker hits out at 'prima donnas' in F1 after calls for the Australian Grand Prix start time to be brought forward

Ron Walker, the chairman of the Australian Grand Prix, has out at 'prima donnas' in F1 after a number of drivers complained about visibility during this year's race.

The start of the race had been moved to make it more suitable for a European audience, which left the Albert Park event to run into the Melbourne evening.

That led to some drivers complaining about visibility around the street circuit in the closing stages of the race, with seven-time title winner Michael Schumacher revealing that the FIA had measured light levels at the event and are set to make changes for 2011.

However, Walker hit out at the comments made by drivers and insisted that there was nothing wrong with the start time and hit out at the F1 stars for being 'prima donnas'

"It's clearly not dangerous," he told the Herald Sun. "You can't please these drivers, they are a bunch of lazy people who won't do anything to help the sport, except for two or three.

"A lot of drivers are prima donnas. They are never happy."

Source: Crash

WRC Jordan Rally 2010: Drivers down on horse power

Source: WRC

Jury out after 2010 refuelling ban debut

Michael Schumacher does not believe F1's new no-refuelling era is going to spice up the sport.

The German, who completed his F1 return in Bahrain by finishing in sixth place behind his teammate Nico Rosberg, believes the 49-lap race was an indication of how the 2010 season is going to unfold.

"It's the start and then just sort of 'go your pace' and not do mistakes," the seven time world champion told the BBC.

"Overtaking is basically impossible, other than if somebody makes a mistake -- that's the action we are going to have with unfortunately this kind of environment of race strategy," Schumacher added.

Lewis Hamilton, who finished third, said the new format - where drivers start the race carrying a huge fuel load and look after the tyres - had made his race slightly frustrating.

"It definitely didn't make the racing more exciting in terms of overtaking. I wasn't able to follow in the first third of the circuit.

"But it is an interesting season ahead of us. Everyone is learning how to use tyres more -- try to understand the tyres, conserve the fuel load, when to attack and not to attack," added the Briton.

Quadruple world champion and Bahrain steward Alain Prost believes F1 will benefit from the refuelling ban, which was last in place when he won his final title in 1993.

"The drivers have never experimented with that before, so they are a bit confused, even the teams," said the Frenchman.

"They need to get used to it. It may take some races but it will be better."

Indeed, Jenson Button acknowledged that he had nursed one of his sets of tyres too much, while Felipe Massa said he was forced to conserve fuel for 30 laps.

Prost is confident the current generation of drivers will adjust.

"They have got used to a sprint -- in free practice, qualifying, race. And having 60kg of fuel or 10kg makes no difference," he said.

"When you start with 160kg you have to think differently, and they are not used to that," said the 55-year-old.

"After a few races, I am sure the good drivers, the top drivers, will like it."

Fellow Grand Prix veteran David Coulthard agreed that F1's new formula needs "time to settle down".

Source: Motorsport

Drivers go missing on Bahrain grid

Many F1 drivers were missing from the grid in the minutes before Sunday's season opening Bahrain GP.

Global interest in the new 2010 season had been sky high, but reporters, television cameras and VIPs searched hard to locate F1's most famous faces in the tense moments of preparation prior to the formation lap.

It emerges that the situation was triggered by Bernie Ecclestone, who tightly controls the distribution of pre-race grid passes.

With an apparent shortage for the Sakhir grid, the F1 chief executive decided that the drivers' physiotherapists and trainers would be the ones to skip the pre-race routine.

The drivers were unhappy with the decision but Briton Ecclestone, 79, refused to budge, meaning many of them opted to get out of their cars after the pit-to-grid lap and return to the garages for physical attention.

Source: F1 Complete

Mark Webber spies on Mclaren MP4-25 Bahrain GP 2010 free practice preview

Source: La Sexta - AlonsoPlanet

Alonso: I won't be disappointed if I'm not F1 2010 champion

Fernando Alonso: Not winning the championship is completely logical - and it would not be a disappointment.

Fernando Alonso has insisted that he won't be upset this year if he fails to win the F1 drivers' title for a third time.

Alonso will make his debut for Ferrari at the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend and while the Scuderia have been on the pace in pre-season testing – and are considered by some to be one of the favourites, the Spaniard has tried to quell expectations ahead of the season opener.

"I understand that people can be disappointed if I'm not champion [this year] but I personally won't be," he told Spanish radio Cadena Ser. "It's a sport, (Real) Madrid and Barcelona are the best (football) clubs in the world but they can lose the Champions League or a match.

"Not winning the championship is completely logical - and it would not be a disappointment.

"Alonso, who failed to win a single race last year with Renault, is though still very upbeat about his prospects with the new Ferrari F10. Indeed speaking to Ferrari's official website he was a lot more 'on message'.

"I want to thank you all for what you have done for this new F1 Ferrari. I already told it to the newspapers but I want to tell you personally: this is the best car I've ever driven," he said this week in an address to the mechanics and engineers responsible for building the Ferrari F10.

"This doesn't mean that it will be enough to win every single race, but I'm happy about how the tests went and I think that we're at 100 per cent for the first race in Bahrain. We are Ferrari and we know from our history that we have only one goal: winning the Championship. And I know that thanks to your work we can do it.

"We know that the first race is like the first stage at the Tour de France: what counts is winning. Felipe [Massa] and I are extremely motivated and we'll give it our all to show that we merit the opportunity to drive a car like Ferrari."

Source: Crash net

F1 drivers imitate sound of their cars...

In an ad for 2010 Brazil GP

Source: YouTube @wbrasilonline