Kimi's Column: Challenging in a tricky way

Kimi Rally Germany preview in Finnish

This Germany is a quite tricky rally. Lets see how it takes off. I have good vibes from last year and lets hope that it goes better the second time, in this year's way.

The more in the top you would get to start, the more easier it would be. If you have to go on the route from very behind, then the more all kind of trash there is on the road.

Now we are on tarmac for the first time after gravel rallies. We had a test after Jyskälä. We could have used a bit more testing since we were left with things we have to try out during this rally week. Soon we'll see how we got things in place.

All and all it's easier when we know what to expect. They haven't changed more than a couple of stages. They took about 10 km off the super long SS on beton. Now we have about 35 kilometers of that banging.

Last year we went well until the last day. I made a few blunders in the crossroads and we lost our position.

Now we try to improve. Not do any blunders and try to get time-wise as close as we already got in Jyskälä.

Lets hope now that the weather stays good. It would be much nicer since we haven't drove even one test during rain with this car. This route gets very slippery if water starts falling down on it.

They talk about tarmac, although I think we are driving more on beton in this rally. There is a decent road somewhere there but usually it's something completely different from a clean tarmac surface.

Source: KIMIRAIKKONEN.COM
Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi Räikkönen made German reporter angry

Kimi Räikkönen was able to make a German reporter angry during his testing journey in Germany. The reporter wrote about his feeling in a local newspaper. Kimi spend last weekend at the Baumholder military area testing his WRC car for the next week's rally at Germany.

Reporter of the local Rhein-Zeitung newspaper tried to get comments from the Finnish star, but Iceman's mouth was shut because of his timetable problems.

- Kimi Räikkönen behaved again like his nickname Iceman. He confirmed his nickname by behaving very cold towards the media, the reporter of the Rhein-Zeitung wrote.

Instead of interview: a cup of coffee and excuses

The German reporter tells there was no possibility to get even a small talk with Räikkönen.

- Instead of an interview, he prefered to relax and drink coffee.

The reporter lost his temper when Kimi packed his stuff and was leaving to the Frankfurt-Hahn airport, where his private jet was waiting.

- He thought for a pretty long time for excuses to say 'no' to a small interview, and then he just relaxed waved his hand and said: 'I must get to the plain'.

- Actually, private jets never start and leave without the passenger. Not even the private jet of the Iceman Kimi Räikkönen, the text ends.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

Heikki's Kulta Column: The heat is on

Whereas home in Finland people are sweating in the heat, in Germany again one has to keep the heat on both in Nürburgring's media center during the working day as well as in the hotel room during the night.

It was more chilly in the WRC-battle too. Sebastian Vettel's crushing lead is of a class that he can't practically lose it other than if he gets badly injured.

It's hard to think who would be the biggest threat to the champion. They are putting Fernando Alonso in the role although Mark Webber is ahead of him. As cars both Red Bull and Ferrari seem to be very close at the moment.

In a Finnish matter of speaking Bild-magazine brought at least some kind of warmth to the F1-circle after awakening the talks about Kimi Räikkönen's possible comeback to F1 as Red Bull's driver.

The team objected immediately to the speculations and Christian Horner has said more than once that Räikkönen hasn't even given any signs of his possible will to come back.

Knowing Räikkönen he hasn't earlier either given any signs of which direction he is going to. He has gone according to what he has been offered and what has interested him.

My good friend, reporter Michael Schmidt from the German Auto, Motor und Sport -magazine, has never greeted me normally when we meet, instead he always asks "Where is Kimi?". He has done this for the last one and a half year.

We chatted about Räikkönen on Friday. Schmidt assured that he isn't 'greeting' just in a joking way.

– Kimi's comeback would be a huge thing for this sport. We have now seen how Michael Schumacher's comeback has gone. Kimi is much younger. It would be exciting to see how he would pull it off, Schmidt reminded.

Turun Sanomat, Nürburgring

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

German GP - Massa: “many podiums with Ferrari in Germany”

It seems the rain that marked the Silverstone race a fortnight ago, has crossed the Channel and is with us again at the Nurburgring for this weekend’s German Grand Prix. When Felipe Massa met the media in the Scuderia Ferrari motorhome this afternoon, he explained the weather makes life complicated even on a Friday. “We test many things on Friday, as all the new components get their first track test during free practice at a grand prix, now there is no testing during the season. Sometimes we split the workload, fitting some parts to my car and others to Fernando’s in order to see the difference. It means Friday is much more important now, because when testing was allowed during the season, you knew where you were with new parts. Often it depends on the weather and I don’t think we are going to have a very easy Friday this weekend looking at the forecast!”

Although Felipe’s British Grand Prix did not produce the result he was looking for, the Ferrari man was pleased with progress made on the 150º Italia car. “We brought a good amount of parts to Silverstone and it was the first track where we have managed to use the hard tyres well,” he recalled. “We did a good job there, being competitive in all situations. Here we have another small update and I hope we can be on the pace of the best again this weekend. Two years ago, the last time we were here at the Nurburgring I finished third: in fact I have had many podiums with Ferrari at the German Grand Prix and I like this track, so even if the win is what we are always aiming for, another podium would be a good result on Sunday, given the strength of our opponents.” It would not be a Formula 1 summer if Massa was not asked by a journalist about his future with Scuderia Ferrari and if he would be with the team next season! “Next year yes for sure, as I have a contract until the end of 2012,” came the reply. “After that, we will see and there is still some time before we have to think about what happens after 2012. I have been here six years, next year will make it seven and it is very good to be racing for Ferrari.”

Source: Ferrari.com

Hamilton given time off to prepare for Germany

McLaren will give Lewis Hamilton time off ahead of next week's German Grand Prix after the 2008 Formula One champion said he feared burnout under the burden of media and sponsorship commitments

"I think Lewis has done too much coming into this grand prix," team principal Martin Whitmarsh said after Sunday's British race at Silverstone, a disappointing afternoon for his men.

"We've managed to organise a bit of a break for him before Germany, which I know he wants. Then he has a big break after that in August as well.

"It's one of those things. He is a world superstar and lots of people want lots of his time, but we're generally being criticised for protecting him too much, aren't we?," added Whitmarsh.

Hamilton qualified only 10th on Saturday for his home race and there were plenty of long faces in the McLaren motorhome after a session that showed just how much ground the team had to make up on Red Bull and Ferrari.

The Briton was far happier on Sunday after making a storming start to the race in the damp conditions and finishing fourth with a thrilling battle to the line against Ferrari's Felipe Massa after being told by the team to save fuel.

He also managed to stay out of trouble with the stewards, something of a rarity for him this season.

"He drove a fantastic race," said Whitmarsh. "He drove without a mistake, with the right levels of passion and aggression and above all with the right level of discipline and control."

INDIA TRIP

The news he would get some time off before the Nuerburgring was welcomed by Hamilton, who is 95 points adrift of Red Bull's world champion and runaway leader Sebastian Vettel and level with team mate Jenson Button in fourth with 10 races remaining.

"I was supposed to be working tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday, and I basically said 'No way' because I've been in England like a week or whatever, so it has been quite busy here," he told Reuters after the race.

"Then I was supposed to be flying to India for a day on Wednesday, in and out within a day. Fortunately, for some reason, it got cancelled.

"So that's good. I get to be in one place for a good period of time and do some training, get my mind clear for the next race," added the 26-year-old.

"Hopefully that gives the team some time to clarify the rules, because we lost a lot this weekend, and (Ferrari's) Fernando (Alonso) told me that they didn't lose anything, and the Red Bulls clearly didn't lose anything either.

"Hopefully we can catch it back, I don't know how we will."

The race weekend at Silverstone was overshadowed by arguments about the governing body's clampdown on engine regulations.

Under the tighter rules, teams were told they could no longer use engine electronics to gain an aerodynamic advantage by ensuring a constant flow of exhaust gases through the rear of the car even when a driver was braking.

After directive and counter-directive, the governing FIA ultimately said it would go back to the situation before Silverstone if all the teams agreed, something that was secured on Sunday afternoon.

"Whatever it (the rule) is, we'll do our best to improve the car and make sure it's competitive at the next race," said Whitmarsh.

Source: Reuters Sports

Kimi Räikkönen Wetten Dass Show 2005

The show is from the 15.5.2005, it was a simulcast and the theater is located in Turkey. The Moderator is Thomas Gottschalk. The other guests are Viktoria and Heiner Lauterbach (Actors), Peter Maffay (a German singer), Erkan and Stefan (Comedians) and Paris Hilton. The show is in German language, so I made a translation from the main part with Kimi: Before Kimi comes in, Thomas Gottschalk says:

In the Formula 1 cars he is one of the biggest stars of our time, during interviews he is a little bit uncommunicative, let´s see if we hear something from him today, otherwise we just have a look at him. To have a little bit pep, we gave him a warm-up lap and he should be on the way already. So when he will see him in a moment, the formula 1 fans immediately know that he isn´t indeed here with his official car, but we put his silver-arrow directly in front of our arena, and here he comes and now we can also see the wonderful theater here in Aspendos. We all have been very happy when we watched the last race on Sunday, because he stayed espically for us, from the beginning to the end on Position 1, of course all Formula One fans know about whom we talk, here he is, the new pride of Mercedes, winner of the last week in Barcelona, here he is, welcome Kimi Räikkönen!



Question 1: Yea, Iceman is his Nickname, but today he said he will defrost, but I know it´s not easy for you, so what is the bigger challenge for you, rushing with 300 km/h on the asphalt or sitting in an entertainment show with thousands of people?

-Kimi: I think so for me the second one is the most difficult because to drive fast on the circuit is just something like normal for me, I do it almost every time, so it´s not the absolutely perfect place for me, but I am happy to be here, that I am present this evening.

Question 2: You see, the Germans embed you in their hearts, maybe it´s a little bit because of the car you drive and of course we all have waited for the last Sunday and we are glad to have sitting here a Champion, so do you have the feeling that the knot, which some people have seen, is cracked finally?

-Kimi: Yea, definitely I have this feeling and it´s looking like it´s going in the right way and the knot is cracked, and we also have won this race very convincingly, we have had a great week and I think, that it will be going on like this, we are fighting for the World-Championship now and hopefully we will win.

Question 3: Do you speak English or Finnish? I don´t hear it. Of course you can perfectly speak Finnish, but our translator understands English much better. It´s very interesting with the Finns, there are many, for example the colleague Häkkinen, he is a big "dancer", and the Finn himself is normally a quieter companion, although on the F1-track you are like a flamenco-dancer!

-Kimi: I think so, we are in fact very fast, we are indeed a small country, but we have some really good race-drivers, but not only in F1, also in other sports, Rally for example, there we are actually very good. I don´t know why this is like that, perhaps something special in us ,in our character. Of course it´s good for our country.

Question 4: The whole F1 is thankful to you now, excepting Michael Schumacher. Do you still give him a chance?

-Kimi: Hopefully not! I have to say that very selfish.

Question 5: Oh oh, he has to think so, every different his racing team don´t want to hear from him. But now a neutrally question, there will be a F1-track in Turkey, does it make for you as a driver any difference where you are driving or has every Track it´s own character?

-Kimi: Well, every track is different and has it´s own character, but in which country we drive is no preference. Of course it´s nice to drive there you have already been, but a new track is always interesting. It´s nice to see new tracks and visit new countries and I am looking forward to come here and drive races. For me this is the first time in Turkey and it seems to be very nice here.

Question 6: Your brother is also a talented race-driver, obviously like in the Schumi-Family. Could it be that this racing talent is in the genes?

-Kimi: Maybe yes. It´s going well for him, but he is more a family-person and doesn´t drive so many races in the moment Maybe there is something special in the family, but of course we are not comparable to the Schumacher brothers.

Question 7: What dip to you when you are thinking on the 31th of July, your wedding-day or the race? It´s on the same day.

-Kimi: Ah, this year is both, I hope I will have a good day on the circuit and a beautiful day after it, too.

Gottschalk: So he is going to drive a little bit faster, that he is soon back and have time for his wife!

Now Kimi had to decide if the lorry-driver is able to hold his bet, Kimi said "Yes, he can do that" but (un)fortunately the lorry driver lost his bet and Kimi had to blow up water-wings for the children.

Courtesy: Essi

German GP timetable

All times are local (Germany is GMT +2)

Thursday 22 July
15:00: FIA press conference

Friday 23 July
10:00 - 11:30: First free practice
14:00 - 15:30: Second free practice
16:00: FIA press conference

Saturday 24 July
11:00 - 12:00: Third free practice
14:00 - 15:00: Qualifying
15h00: FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 25 July
14:00 - 16:00: German GP
16:00: FIA post race press conference

German GP Info
No of Laps: 67
Race Distance: 306.458 km
Lap Record: 1:13.780 - K Raikkonen (2004)
2009 Winner: M Webber (Red Bull)

Source: Planet F1

Vettel: Still 'something special' about Schumacher

Red Bull Racing star Sebastian Vettel has added his voice to those defending the performance of record-breaking grand prix legend Michael Schumacher in F1 2010 - arguing that there's still 'something special' about the 41-year-old...

Sebastian Vettel has advised against writing off Michael Schumacher in the F1 2010 World Championship, opining that his feted countryman can still 'play a very big role' in the destiny of the laurels this year, that 'Mercedes will come back' and that contrary to what his detractors would have you believe, 'Schumi' is in actual fact 'doing a very good job'.

There has been much criticism this season of the eagerly-hyped yet markèdly underwhelming comeback of the most successful driver the sport has ever known, with the Michael Schumacher of 2010 seemingly a very different creature to the driver who claimed no fewer than seven world championship crowns, 91 grand prix victories, 154 podium finishes and 1,369 points and practically obliterated each and every one of his team-mates in the top flight during his 'first career' at the highest level between 1991 and 2006.

The model that has returned three years on from 'retirement', it is argued, is by stark comparison listless and an easy touch in battle, no longer as quick as he once was and indeed fast becoming a laughing stock, having tallied just 36 points from the opening ten races of the campaign to Mercedes Grand Prix team-mate Nico Rosberg's 90, and not a single rostrum finish to three for his younger compatriot.

There are even whispers – stringently denied by the 41-year-old – that he may choose to save himself any further embarrassment and damage to his illustrious reputation by hanging up his helmet again come season's end, but Vettel suggests to dismiss him that easily would be a grave mistake.

“Obviously he has been criticised a lot lately in Germany, England, everywhere I think,” mused the driver once nicknamed 'Baby Schumi' in an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, when asked if he deems his elder compatriot's return to the grand prix grid to have been a failure. “I think he is doing a very good job – it is far from easy to return after a three-year break, even though he was never entirely away from F1 – but if anybody can manage it, he can.

“The cars have changed, the tyres as well – many things are not the way that he had become accustomed to – [but] when I look at his face and read his body language, I do not see any confusion or panic. Obviously the car he's in at the moment is probably not the most competitive one, and it's always hard from the outside to make a fair judgement about what is going on, if the car is to his liking or not – but I still think he can play a very big role in this year's championship. I think Mercedes will come back, they will have strong races this year and I think they can be able to win races.”

Having already gone wheel-to-wheel with Schumacher in the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai back in April, Vettel is well-placed to comment upon the Kerpen native's racecraft and appetite for the fight – and the Red Bull Racing star is insistent that in every possible way, he remains one of F1's biggest draws.

“You can feel that it's not just anybody racing you,” the 23-year-old reasoned. “I remember the race in China; there was a lot of passing and so on, but you realise he knows how to defend well and he knows how to kill your run, let's say, and to defend his position better than most. In some other actions you see, like in free practice, it shows you there's something special going on.

“Obviously the results are not the best, but I think that will change. If someone wins seven titles, you'd think he had to be something special. I don't think you can take his place – he is still the best-known racing driver in Germany and due to him, F1 is a very big sport in Germany. I don't think people will forget that quickly; surely with good results, drivers like Nico, myself and others can get better-known, but Michael is still a long way ahead in those terms.”

Source: Crash

More on Vettel's Home Run in Heppenheim...

Sebastian Vettel brought a taste of Formula One to his fans yesterday as the Red Bull Racing pilot took the team’s show car for a run around his home town of Heppenheim, Germany.

Ahead of the German Grand Prix next weekend, the tranquil medieval area of Bergstrasse in Heppenheim reverberated to the sounds of F1 as Sebastian Vettel took to the streets of his home town in the Red Bull Racing show car, bringing a taste of modern F1 to more than 120,000 fans.

"It was just awesome," said Sebastian. "I want to thank all the fans for this truly unique and amazing day. I always dreamed about a day like this and they were the ones who made this dream come true."

Countless Vettel banners lined the specially-built one kilometre track as Seb first took to the streets in a KTM quad bike, stopping to sign autographs along the way. Then he took to an F1 car and unleashed 750hp on his fans.

"We are really proud of Sebastian. He is the most famous son of our town and has always stayed loyal to his fans. We really want to celebrate this day," said a local restaurateur.

Joining Sebastian for the afternoon was two-times DTM champion Mattias Ekström in his Audi A4, DTM, four-times winner of the Red Bull Hare Scramble Chris Pfeiffer performing his spectacular street bike stunt show and Smudo, of German hip-hop band Die Fantastischen Vier (Fantastic Four) showing off his Bio Concept Car.

"We wanted to perform an amazing show that the fans will remember for a very long time," said Ekström. "And I think we made a good job."

Source: Red Bull

[Photos] Sebastian's Home Run in Heppenheim

Click here to view all images

[Video] Sebastian's Home Run Spot

Source: YouTube @Gajcsi

Germany's Sebastian Vettel presented with England flag

Source: ririri074

Vettel diaries: Wednesday, GP of Europe preview

The track in Valencia is pretty similar to the one in Montreal, with a lot of straights and full speed sections. The difference in Valencia will be that we will use the F-duct on Friday during practice in order to improve top speed on the straights. The fact that we were close to our competitors in Canada, without the F-duct, gives us hope. The gap to the top isn’t that big and I hope we can make a step forward in the Constructors’ as well as in the Drivers' Championship this weekend.

Looking to other Championships, I hope that Germany will win against Ghana tonight and then get to the final ...

Source: sebastianvettel.de

[Video] Sebastian Vettel shows his Germany jersey before the Canadian GP!

Source: YouTube @xwilhelminax

Nico Rosberg visits Germany National Football Team (photos)

On Tuesday, June 1, Nico Rosberg visited the German national football team who are preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at their training camp in Eppan, South Tyrol.

A keen football player and supporter, Nico met the team’s manager Joachim Löw and had a kick-about on the training pitch with captain Philipp Lahm, Lukas Podolski and Peer Mertesacker. He also met Wolfgang Hochfellner, the man who drives the team around in their Mercedes-Benz coach. The side panels of the team bus advertise the German team’s 4. Stern für Deutschland (Fourth Star for Germany) campaign.

The partnership between the DFB (German Football Association) and Mercedes-Benz began in 1972 and the World Cup campaign organised by Mercedes-Benz offers all fans of the national team two ways of showing their support: firstly by wearing the official badge and secondly by registering on the campaign website at www.der-vierte-stern-fuer-deutschland.de

Click here to view more

Source: Mercedes Benz

2010 Race of Champions launched in Düsseldorf

The journey to the 2010 Race of Champions began today as it was officially launched at Düsseldorf’s ESPRIT arena. The German stadium will play host to the event on the weekend of November 27-28, one day later than originally advertised.

The annual end-of-season competition brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s most prestigious disciplines and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery. It has recently been held at the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008) and Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium (2009).

Now the Race of Champions is heading to Germany, to the delight of home heroes Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Many more top drivers will join them in the run-up to the big weekend of November 27-28 – including racing legend Alain Prost, who announced today that he will be making his Race of Champions debut.

Schumacher said: “It’s very exciting to see The Race of Champions in Germany. Sebastian and I have won the Nations Cup for the last three years and I’m really looking forward to defending our title in front of our home crowd. I’m thrilled to hear Alain is joining in too, making the fun even bigger.”

Vettel added: “The Race of Champions is a great way to end the season and the drivers always have a lot of fun together. Hopefully Michael and I will get a lot of home support.”

The Race of Champions will take place on a specially constructed tarmac circuit with two parallel lanes winding their way round Düsseldorf’s ESPRIT arena. The transformed stadium will feature a track that is 7.5 metres wide, an increase of a metre on Wembley and Beijing.

Source: sebastianvettel.de

Germany to host Race of Champions 2010

After so much glory on track at The Race of Champions, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel are celebrating again as Germany has now won the race to host the event itself.

The annual end-of-season competition brings together the world's greatest drivers from all motor sport's disciplines and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery. In recent years it has been held at the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London's Wembley Stadium (2007-2008) and Beijing's 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium (2009).

Now The Race of Champions is returning to European soil and the city of Düsseldorf, to the delight of the team that has all but made the ROC Nations Cup its own.

Michael Schumacher said: "It's going to be very exciting to see The Race of Champions in Germany, particularly as Sebastian and I have won the Nations Cup for the last three years. So this is a great opportunity and a fantastic decision from the organisers. I'm really looking forward to defending our title in front of our home crowd. In the individual event we'll all be fighting for ourselves so it will be interesting to see who does better. It's always a fun event to meet up with our colleagues but you take it seriously inside the cars."

Sebastian Vettel is equally thrilled that The Race of Champions is returning to Germany for the first time in over 20 years - but he is well aware that the drivers from the other nations won't just lie down and let the home stars grab all the glory. "It is special to do this kind of event in front of your home crowd," said Vettel. "It will be a unique experience and hopefully Michael and I will get a lot of support. We have a good mix of youth and experience and we'll try to defend our title but we know it won't be easy as the others are always pushing. Last year in the individual race I had a shunt in the semi-final so hopefully I can finally make it into that final and get a good result. Either way it's a great way to end the season. All the drivers always have a lot of fun together at this event, where there are always jokes behind the scenes."

The Race of Champions will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round the Düsseldorf arena. With its capacity of over 50,000 and such local talent on show the air will already be white hot - but the stadium's roof and heating system will get its own warm reception from everyone involved...

"We race in wintertime, when it is freezing cold," adds Schumacher. "So it won't just be the fans who enjoy sitting in an indoor environment. It will warm up the temperature and the atmosphere for all of us."

Source: GP Update