Hamilton makes Monaco a home race

Lewis Hamilton has made his move before the start of the Formula One season and can now call Monaco a home race as well as his favourite grand prix

McLaren's 2008 world champion has left Switzerland, his home for the past few years, for a new base in the Mediterranean principality where he will have several F1 drivers as neighbours.

"I just fancied a change," the 27-year-old told reporters, adding that he had moved in "a week or so ago".

"It was a bit boring where I was living before, not many people around, so it was good to move," added the Briton, who had lived most recently in Zurich after a spell in Geneva.

"Where I've moved to there are quite a lot of people that I know there, quite a lot of the drivers are there. So there's a bit more of a social life, there's better weather, it's by the sea, overall just a bit better.

"It's kind of cool that you get to be at home whilst a grand prix is going on. I think it will be pretty neat," said the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix winner and 2007 runner-up.

"I can meet up with quite a few of the drivers if I want to do training, and my trainer is also just up the road. I've settled down quite well there.

"I still have loads of boxes to unpack, but I'm sure I can get someone to do that for me."

HOT LAPS

Hamilton limbered up for the season, which starts in Melbourne next week, by driving reporters around a track in southern England in McLaren's fearsome MP4-12C GT3 race-spec sportscar.

He looked sharp, hungry to be back behind the wheel and determined to focus on the future.

The championship opens with four long-haul races but the Briton, who had a nightmare season last year while trying to keep alive a transatlantic relationship with American singer Nicole Scherzinger, intends to be more settled in 2012.

He said he now planned to spend much more of his time at home when in Europe.

Hamilton won three races last year but ended up beaten overall by team mate Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, in a championship dominated by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

Testing times can be misleading but the title battle already looks like being much tighter with McLaren, who were playing catch-up this time last year, looking quick and tipped to take the battle to Red Bull right from the start.

Hamilton was clearly pleased with how the winter tests in Spain had gone.

"I kept a nice amount of fuel in the car for all of my tests. I wasn't really bothered with positioning. What matters is when we get to the first race," he smiled.

"It looks like it could be a bit different to the past couple of years where we've had the Red Bull just much quicker than everyone else.

"The Lotus looks like it can be really quick, a couple of the teams have different exhaust solutions. Us, Ferrari and Red Bull generally have a similar exhaust solution. The others, like the Lotus have a different solution, so do Mercedes and they still seem to be quick," he added.

"So it will be a battle as to which of those designs has the longest road of development, and how far ours can go."

Source: Reuaters Sports

7 Päivää: Kimi Räikkönen and his Porkkalanniemi Home

Some more pics of his home in Finland











Source: Seiska

Seiska Magazine: Welcome to The Iceman's Cave

Seiska asked Kimi 77 questions in his home in Porkkalanniemi



Are you nervous when going back to F1?

- Not at all. I wouldn't had come back if I wouldn't have liked to. I'm sure it's going to be fun this season.

What kind of chances of success do you think Lotus has this season?

- It's difficult to say, nobody knows yet. We will see after the first tests where we are going.

Do you have hunger for another WDC?

- Yes. You always have that as a goal. I will try a lot, lets see if that's enough or not.

You have said that Lotus has a homey atmosphere compared to your earlier teams, how do you see the difference?

- Each team has always been different. Lotus has however a different kind of management. They are younger and racing-spirited and not any uptight people.

Is Sebastian Vettel your best buddy in F1?

- Yes, I know him best and have spent most of time with him than with any other drivers.

Do you have any enemy or someone you can't stand there?

- No I haven't but it's difficult to say what other people think.

Have you already met your team mate Romain Grosjean? Is he a good guy?

- I have met him and he is a nice normal guy.

Where do you see yourself after ten years?

- Difficult to say but hopefully everything is still okay.

What plans do you have for your life after F1?

- No plans. I have never have any terribly long plans.

In how good physical shape are you?

- I guess in the same shape as before. I know pretty well in which shape one has to be.

They operated your wrist after the recent motorsledge-race. Has it healed well?

- Yeah. It's now completely okay.

They often talk about your money in public. You have a fortune of over 100 million euros. What does money mean to you?

- I guess it means the same as it means to other people too. I get a certain amount of money for the job that I do. Some think it's right, some think it's wrong. I myself have however made all the work so it doesn't make me ashamed at all. Money makes some things easier but it really doesn't solve everything in life.

Has the big fortune made you out of touch with reality or do you even think about monetary matters?

- *laughing* Definitely not! I'm just the same as I was before. It makes some things easier but it also brings a lot of negative things along.

Do you pay your bills yourself or do you use an internet-bank for example?

- No I don't. My mom takes care of quite many of my things.

How much money will you get for your next season in Lotus?

- I get something.

How have you invested your money?

- Well I have a few apartments and something like that... You have to live somewhere.

They have thought in public that you are part-owner in Lotus, is that true?

- No it's not.

Would you like to own your own F1-team someday?

- I don't have the passion for it. In the end it's quite cruel business.

Have you ever donated a lot of money to charity?

- I have done that every now and then. At the moment I have this small thing going on with SOS Children's Village.

What is your biggest win in poker?

- In poker? It can't have been any big sum at least! I have sometimes played poker with my buddies but never been to a casino.

Then what is your biggest loss in poker?

- I doesn't come to my mind right now, but usually I lose rather than win.

Do you play other gambling games?

- I guess I have sometimes played some pajazzo etc. if they are seen as gambling games, but nothing more.

They say that you are genuinely a laidback guy and don't look like you would be nervous of any racing situations. What kind of situations make you nervous?

- Hard to say. Sometimes normal things can make me nervous. It depends on the place but I am also nervous about races.

What kind of things are you afraid of?

- There are no things that I would be afraid of. I don't have fear for high places or things like that.

You have many houses but how many homes do you have?

- This place in Porkkalanniemi is one home and I have another home in Switzerland. I don't think that I have any more homes than anyone else has.

You travel a lot. How many nights per year are you here in Porkkalanniemi?

- I can't say at all. I spend more time here in the summer when the weather is good.

Is the place in Kaskisaari more of a partying place than home?

- No. I use it when I have for example some job stuff in Helsinki.

How do you decorate your apartment? I doubt you go to IKEA by yourself.

- No I don't go to IKEA. This house has been designed by interior-people.

Is there something in the interior that Jenni likes and that you let her have with long teeth?

- Well I don't have terribly much that I would have objected to. I don't pay attention to those kind of details. We have a pretty similar taste but interior is more a thing for women. I'm sure it's more important to them than it is to me for example. We should just let the women take care of these things!

Which room is your favorite room?

- I guess I spend most time on the couch in front of the tv.

What do you serve your friends when they come and visit you?

- It depends of course on which day it is! *laughing* I don't usually ask terribly much, they find their way to the fridge themself.

Do you go to the supermarket yourself?

- I go there quite often. I like to go there but it also depends upon which time you go there. Sometimes there are many people etc. but I like to circle around there.

Do you clean your home yourself?

- Yeah I clean sometimes. I do the normal cleaning myself, like wash my own clothes.

Do you have a housekeeper?

- No. A cleaning lady comes twice a month to sweep the biggest thrash.

Do you make food yourself?

- I make food if I'm home alone.

What is your speciality?

- I guess it's chicken pasta. It's the easiest to make. I'm not any passionate cook.

What is your favorite food?

- I like salmon quite much and meatballs are guite good too.

What is hour favorite drink?

- I drink a lot of milk.

How do you prepare a White Russian the right way?

- I don't know since I haven't drank White Russians for years. I'm sure I couldn't make them the right way.

What about cranberry vodka?

- I guess you mix vodka with some cranberry.

Is Jenni a good cook?

- She is a bit better than me but if we would compete I think it would be quite an even competition.

Does she cook for you often?

- Every now and then. We don't have any rule book about those things, that someone would always have to cook. Often we go out for dinner and sometimes pick up something.

Do you have pets?

- We have three dogs. My mom keeps two Jack Russell terriers and the German Shepard is in Switzerland.

What names do they have?

- Reiska, Peppi and Ajax.

Is it true that you are allergic to Jenni's horses?

- I'm allergic to quite many things like cats and horses. I get a stuffed up nose if I spend a lot of time with them. I had more allergies during the army-time.

What tv-programs do you watch?

- This and that. Mostly sport. Yesterday I was staring at something that my mom watched.

Your favorite movie?

- Finnish movies.

What Finnish icehockey-league do you support?

- I don't personally support anything special. Of course I hope that Espoo's and Helsinki's leagues would do well. I don't follow icehockey with clenched teeth and despite rumors I don't own anything from Tampere's Ilves. May the best league win.

How often do you party?

- It depends a lot. Now I haven't had time to party because of having so much to do. Of course if I'm free and want to go, then I go. I don't have any regulations concerning that. These things are related to normal life just like it is with everybody else too.

How is a good party made, a party where you enjoy yourself?

- I guess it's the good gang. That's where it usually takes off.

Does it have to be karaoke?

- It has been less karaoke although it's usually been fun there. It's not necessary but I rather go to a smaller and more quiet place than to some big disco.

How much and what do you drink during a bar-night?

- Hmmm... Hard to say what I drink. There is no main drink. I usually order a lot of cranberry vodka because my buddies drink a lot of that. I often drink vodka and vichy if I drink.

Are you a person who likes to be comfortable?

- Well not any more than anyone else is. I'm usually fine with everything.

How hard steam-man in sauna are you?

- I like sauna but with normal steam. No sauna-Timo-business for crying out loud!

The sea is here beside, do you swim a lot?

- I swim in the summer. The last time I took a swim in that sea was just before the ice came.

Cold or hot shower?

- It depends a little but I like a really cold shower too. It refreshes quite well.

How much time do you spend in the shower?

- Well as long as I get clean I guess. I don't have any stopwatch there for crying out loud!

Do you sing in the shower?

- No.

Do you wear a bathrobe or do you walk around with a towel over your hips?

- With a towel.

Your favorite cologne/scent?

- I only use the basic deodorant. You get it easy from the gas station!

Do you blowdry your hair?

- No.

What is your favorite music?

- I usually listen to Finnish music from the radio.

You mean radio Suomi Pop?

- I has been less now that people there have changed. It's not as good in the morning as it used to be.

How many cars do you own?

- Five I think. Audi, Fiat, Merc and VW. I guess I get some Lotus too soon but any luggage won't fit into them.

How many tattoos do you have and do they have some meaning?

- Two. I don't think that they have any special meaning.

You have told that you would want to have two children. At which stage do you think starting a family would be actual?

- Of course you want family. It doesn't mean that there should be one or two children. Hopefully I get a family at some point and that all children would be healthy. I think that's the main thing.

I heard that you are very fond of children. Is it true?

- Yes, I like children. I don't have any of my own but I like spending time with them.

What is the secret of your and Jenni's lasting marriage?

- I don't think that we have any secret. Of course we have arguments and nagging at times just like in every other relationship but it's normal life.

How often do you see Jenni?

- We are about every day together at home unless we are on some trips. It has been like that ever since we met.

What mutual hobbies do you have?

- I guess just being home since we both have our own hobbies. I do my own things and Jenni rides everyday.

What is a good relationship like according to you?

- I'm sure everyone have a different relationship and you can't order what is good for anyone. For as long as both have fun and both feel good to be together is what defines it.

Which one of you are more jealous?

- Hard to tell.

Are you jealous of each other?

- I'm sure eveyone is. Even though you would say that you aren't jealous I think everyone is.

Are you happy?

- Yes. I don't have anything to complain about.

Do you think that Jenni is also happy with you?

- Yes. We wouldn't be together if we weren't happy. Like I said there are always arguments every now and then but I think it's the same for everyone else too.

Do you read Seiska?

- I read it every now and then because we get it in Switzerland! Yeah, the bible comes to our home (laughing).

So you call Seiska jokingly a bible?

- It is sometimes like that, yes!

Courtesy: Nicole

Seiska's reporter tells: This is what Kimi Räikkönen is like for real!

Seiska's reporter Panu Hörkkö visited Kimi Räikkönen at his home and he was surprised - positively

When I drove on Feb 3rd from Helsinki to Kimi Räikkönen's villa in Porkkalanniemi I had butterflies in my stomach. I had actually had them ever since the night before and Kimi even visited in my few hours dream to be honest.

So the unconsciousness pulled cruel tricks on me. I was however about to meet Kimi for the first time and I had heard that he hates reporters. I wondered which one of us is more troubled with the meeting - the one who was going to be interviewed or the interviewer?

Kimi's expression was something completely different from what I had expected!

When the photographer and I arrived to Porkkalanniemi we were greeted by Riku Kuvaja. He informed in his kind way that he would go and walk around the villa with the photographer and I could soon interview Kimi in peace.

Soon after that the glass door opened and a beanie-headed Kimi came out to shake hands with me.

I immediately saw an expression on Kimi's face that I hadn't seen in one single magazine or tv-interview earlier. Kimi was unbelievably laidback and frankly put charming, if a man can say so about another man.

Kimi's boyishness and grinning continued all through our 3-hours meeting and the ice broke easily in the Iceman's cave. Kimi answered my questions in a laidback way and used his witty sense of humour. His laughter was catching and the atmosphere was warm.

As an example I could mention my question "How tough steam-man are you?" Kimi replied in his personal way:

- I like to go to a sauna but just the normal steams. No Sauna-Timo-business for sure, Kimi said.

It wasn't pretending from his side, I can say based upon my life experience that Kimi is genuinely a laidback person - and modest too on top of that - unlike many "heroes" I have met.

Lacking speaking skills, they say!

After we left the villa I could only think that dammit, that guy just hates cameras just like probably 99% of Finnish men also hate!


Next F1-season I am going to concentrate on following only Kimi and his grips in Lotus. The guy did after all set the fastest laptime in Jerez testing!

I will leave in their own league those who nag about Kimi's poor skills of commenting or posing. Afterall I know myself that we Finns have an exceptionally charming hero in this man. And a man can say this about another man.

Good luck to the upcoming season, Kimi!

Source: Seiska.fi
Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen tipped to shine on home rally

Kimi Räikkönen has been tipped for a strong result on Neste Oil Rally Finland, which gets underway with the first of 22 special stages on Thursday evening (July 28)

The ex-Formula One world champion is tackling the event for a third time this season and Benoit Nogier, whose Citroën Racing Technologies operation runs Räikkönen’s ICE 1 Racing Citroën DS3 WRC, has high hopes for the Finn.

“Kimi loves his country and his rally,” said Nogier. “He really enjoyed his two-day test and he got the car to handle to his liking. He has a logical approach. He was his usual self, did not get excited and kept his unflappable calm. We hope he’ll drive a consistent race and close the gap to the frontrunners.”

Nogier explained that Räikkönen and fellow Citroën Racing Technologies driver Petter Solberg tested on roads similar to those found on this week’s World Rally Championship counter.

“There was a combination of humps and wide, quick sections,” said Nogier. “Our drivers were a bit worried about how the car would handle at very high speed but this test session has reassured them about the balance of the DS3 R3.”

Räikkönen made his WRC debut on Rally Finland in 2009, impressing in an Abarth Grande Punto Super 2000 before ultimately crashing out. Last year, armed with a Citroën C4 WRC, the 31-year-old was eighth overall at the completion of the opening day but slipped back to 25th at the finish after spending 10 minutes off the road.

Co-driven by fellow Finn Kaj Lindström, Räikkönen has made four appearances in the WRC this season and has scored drivers’ championship points on each occasion. He holds eighth position in the standings, while ICE 1 Racing is fifth in the manufacturers’ table.

Source: WRC
Courtesy: momo

Hamilton eyes dream home result

Lewis Hamilton is determined to realise his own version of fantasy Formula One at this weekend's British Grand Prix

All the doom and gloom that emanated from Hamilton after the European Grand Prix 10 days ago has since understandably made way for the anticipation that comes with a race on home soil.

Sebastian Vettel has won six of the eight grands prix so far to lead Hamilton's team-mate Jenson Button by 77 points and Hamilton by 89, but the latter has his sights set on a rare British feat, and told Press Association Sport: "The dream for us would be to have a one-two at Silverstone. That would be the best weekend I could ever imagine in Formula One. I think it would be incredible."

Silverstone officials have already announced a 120,000-plus sell- out crowd for Sunday, and the likelihood there could be a record attendance over the three days beyond 310,000.

That gives you some idea of the support behind Hamilton and Button, despite the grave championship picture as no-one appears capable of halting Vettel's charge towards back-to-back titles.

Hamilton added: "The dream would be to see what kind of effect that would have on everyone. I think the atmosphere would be unreal.

"When I got pole position in 2007, that was insane, and when I won in 2008, that was also insane.

"But just imagine having a British one-two in a British team, that would be a weekend that would go down in history.

"So our goal, as difficult as it may be, that's what we're pushing for."

To underline just how difficult, in 61 previous British GPs there have only ever been six British one-twos - and none with the same British team.

Source: London Evening Standard

Heppenheim set to welcome Vettel home

Newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel will be welcomed in his home town of Heppenheim at a ceremony on Sunday

The small town in the state of Hesse said confirmed that a reception is to be held at the town square seven days after 23-year-old Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the youngest-ever Formula One Champion.

Town mayor Gerhard Herbert had already announced Vettel would be made an honorary citizen of the town.

Tens of thousand of motorsport fans from the region are expected to flock to Heppenheim for Sunday's celebrations. A show event in the summer featuring Vettel attracted some 120,000 people to the town which has a population of 25,000.

Vettel, who lives in Switzerland, will travel to Heppenheim from test drives with Red Bull on Friday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

Source: Planet-F1

Seiska was Kimi's guest in his new home

20.10.2010

Kimi and Jenni Dahlmann Räikkönen, 28, moved last year to Bar village into a luxury palace called Villa Butterfly.

Kimi bought Villa Butterfly with about 30 million euros.

They appreciate privacy and left their old home in Wollerau village because they couldn't live in peace there anymore.

According to the Swiss Bilanz-magazine Kimi is now one of the 300 richest persons in Switzerland. According to the magazine's estimation Kimi has now a fortune up to 100 million euros!

Kimi has lived in Switzerland for over 10 years and he isn't even planning to move anywhere from there. He pops a few times in a year in Finland to say hi to his pals and family.

- It's great to visit Finland but there isn't enough activities there so I could stay there, the speed devil stated.

- We looked around for about five years for a property where we could start building our own house. Then we found Villa Butterfly, which was ready to move in up to the name.

The home, which is really stylish with beautiful interior is on a small hill from where one can see the magnificent scenery to Zug lake and the Alps behind it. The scenery that opens up from the window in the living room is like a piece of art no matter what the weather is like.

'It's boring to clatter around alone!

My pals use my vacation house!

The Iceman on water

- Even though it's not a long way to Zürich's party places I don't visit them often. I prefer going through the Swiss small villages with coffee shops and bars. But I haven't found even one karaoke-place from here, Kimi grinned.

I have fractures in my backbone!

A new operation is ahead!

Patient driver!

Late reporter!

Source: Seiska.fi
Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen's notes started to hit home in Portugal

Two thirds is behind Kimi Räikkönen's first WRC-season. Kimi has 8 WRC-rallies under his belt and 4 to come.

Kimi has scored WC-points four times and he is 10th in the WC-serie.

Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström finished the rallies every time except for Mexico. Two weeks ago in Germany Räikkönen got his first fastest SS-time on WRC-level.

Summary rally by rally

Experienced co-driver Kaj Lindström who has been beside Tapio Laukkanen and Tommi Mäkinen has worked the best way as a calm advisor for Räikkönen's new rally career.

Let's ask Lindström to shortly summarize this WRC-season with Räikkönen.

Sweden 14.2. (29th)

– It was Kimi's first WRC-rally in a WRC-car. It was tricky for him at the point where he had difficulties listening to the notes. A part of the mistakes simply happened because we weren't exactly on the map.

Mexico 7.3. (retirered)

– That rally went great until we went off the road. Maybe we braked too late but there were many other things that caused it. The car didn't have a rear spoiler for example.

Jordan 3.4. (8th)

– He had a little more patience to drive the right pace and collect experience. It went well.

Turkey 18.4. (5th)

It was a new rally for everybody and a great drive from Kimi. We also saw the difference when the rally is new for eveybody and everybody started from the same ground.

Portugal 30.5. (10th)

– We knew beforehand that Jordan and Portugal will be the most difficult rallies in the beginning of the season - as is Britain's rally too which ends the season. Portugal went well except for the tyre puncture. That's when we were stuck in a ditch for some time.

– All and all it was a mature performance and that's when listening to the note started improving. We are going forward all the time and after Portugal I couldn't say anymore that Kimi wouldn't listen to the notes properly. With that speed you have to start listening to the notes properly.

Bulgaria 11.7. (11th)

– It was a new tarmac rally and there we already had a pace to drive for better positions. We drove beforehand the Lanterna-rally in Italy and that benefitted Kimi without doubt when he got a nice amount of more self-confidence.

Jyväskylä 31.7. (25th)

– It was a reasonable performance although driving too fast to one point cost WC-points. It was good that we got to drive through all stages. If Kimi will continue with rally in the future, then it will benefit him that he has finished Jyväskylä's rally with this car and this race pace.

Germany 22.7. (7th)

– The dude drove well and had good days again even though he made a mistake on Sunday morning which cost the 6th position. In this rally the thing is to cut a lot and there's a lot of dirt on the road. When you drive there for the first time you don't know what the traction is because there is grass and all kinds of trash on the road.

A difficult start to be expected again

Räikkönen and Lindström won't promise anything beforehand from Japan.

– If the old signs are correct, then we can expect a difficult rally. It takes time before we find the right speed for gravel roads, Lindström estimates.

– But the next rally in France is on tarmac and it's new for everybody, I'm sure it will help Kimi again. And at least in rally Catalonia we will get on real good tarmac roads.

HEIKKI KULTA

Source: Turun Sanomat

Courtesy: Nicole

Ecclestone happy with F1 'home' in Valencia

The Valencia street circuit is now a "home" for Formula One, according to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Ahead of its debut race in 2008, it is believed a seven-year contract was signed.

But the venue has met with criticism, including a 5.4 kilometre layout that has hosted processional races, and a lack of atmosphere due to the absence of many boats in the marina.

There were, however, a healthy 50,000 spectators for Saturday's qualifying session, and Ecclestone is quoted by the local news agency EFE: "I'm very proud and pleased with Valencia."
The Briton said he once thought setting up a circuit in the America's Cup port area was "almost impossible" and a "20 year project completed in two".

"It's a miracle," Ecclestone laughed.

"This is now a home for us. Today a journalist told me 'this is another Monaco'," the 79-year-old added.

However, Telegraph writer Simon Briggs on Saturday described Valencia as "a poor man's Monaco".

Source: Motorsport.com

Massa's Blog: It will be different in Monaco

Posted by Felipe Massa

“As I sit here at my home in Monaco, on Tuesday afternoon, I can see the rain falling on the window, so it promises to be a complicated and exciting weekend for my second home race after Brazil, the Monaco Grand Prix. I have been back in Monaco since Monday as luckily my flight plan was unaffected by the ash cloud problem that appears to be following F1 around the globe! Whatever happens, I hope it will be a better weekend than the one in Barcelona, which was a bit like my Chinese Grand Prix experience, in that I struggled from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon to find any grip from the tyres. On the positive side, all the hard work carried out after China improved the car quite a bit, compared to its previous performance level, but it was not enough if you look how strong Red Bull was in Spain, and other teams also found some more speed. Now, we need to make a bigger step forward as soon as possible, so that we can be in a position to fight the teams that are currently ahead of us in terms of their car package.

“This weekend, even if there will be no major changes on the F10, I expect we can be more competitive, mainly because Bridgestone is bringing the Super Soft and Medium tyres here and I much prefer using this combination. We had the same tyre choices in Bahrain, where I was much happier than at the other races, in terms of the grip levels I found from the tyres. I hope therefore that I will be able to exploit more of my car’s potential. In general, the grip situation is something we have to look at, as well as finding an overall improvement to the level of aero downforce we have. So let’s see if the engineers can find something between the last race and this one, where we will not be using the new “blown” rear wing, because on this slow circuit, you need the downforce more than top speed.

“Getting the car to work as well as possible on Saturday afternoon will be even more important than usual, because if traffic has always been a problem at this race, with four more cars out on track at the same time this year, and without wishing to be too critical, I would say six rather slow cars out on track, Q1 can become a lottery. No doubt we will use a different strategic approach to qualifying, maybe fuelling the car to do a few more laps than usual, to have a safety margin, so that you are not left without a competitive time in Q1. In fact, Sunday’s race will also see traffic play its part, because even if strategic choices are different this year with no refuelling, trying to avoid coming out of the pits and finding yourself in slow traffic, could make or break your race. In the end, even if the race engineers will be monitoring the situation closely in the race, you need an element of luck to get it completely right.

“On Wednesday, we start all the work we do on a Thursday at a normal race and from then on, I will travel to and from the paddock and my home by scooter which only takes a few minutes. It is one of the big advantages of this race for me in that I can sleep in my own bed instead of a hotel room and not have to think about packing a suitcase. Before that, this afternoon (Tuesday) I am playing in a charity football match – our team of drivers, the Nazionale Piloti against a team put together by Prince Albert of Monaco. I play as a forward, because you are nearer the goal like that, which means it’s a bit like starting a race from the front row of the grid! The opposition probably includes some professional players which can make life difficult for us. As for my real job, I hope I find a much more consistent car this weekend, the car l like driving, the car I had at the beginning of the season. That’s all I ask for, so that I can do a good job.”

Source: Massa's Blog - Ferrari.com

CO-DRIVER STUCKED

Kaj Lindström didn't get to Finland yesterday.

Lindström flew on Sunday with Räikkönen from Istanbul to Nizza where the men's ways parted.

- Kimi went to Switzerland from there and I myself went towards Finland. I'm travelling in a rented car and God knows when I will get back to Finland, Lindström sighed.

According to the co-driver he hasn't lost his nerves even though the trip back home has been delayed and complicated.

- You can't do anything about it. The travel agency works all the time so that I could get to Finland. Now the airport (Helsinki-Vantaa) would be open between three and eleven but I wasn't in a place from where I could have got to Finland, Lindström cleared.

So far Lindström's journey hasn't been much of an adventure.

- There hasn't been any complications. But we seem to be quite vulnerable as soon as the air planes aren't flying.

Kimi doesn't take risks

Riku Kuvaja doesn't know if Kimi has come home yet.

- I don't know, I haven't spoken with him. He got as far as to Europe, Kuvaja said referring to his flight on Sunday.

Kuvaja couldn't say what route Kimi will use in order to get home.

- The air company decides that. They don't take any risks, Kuvaja said.

Kuvaja thinks that Kimi hasn't taken much trouble over his journey back home.

- This is a worldwide problem. F1-drivers are stuck in China so everybody share the same problem.

Source: Iltasanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi trusted the renting company

Kimi Räikkönen flew on Sunday after the WRC-rally from Turkey to Nizza. From there the man continued by car home to Switzerland.

Räikkönen's entourage used a private plane which they got from a renting company.

- Companies like that don't take any risks so I'm sure it was safe. Other than that I have no idea about the technical reasons.

TRUST

Kimi Räikkönen flew on Sunday from Turkey to Nizza and drove home to Switzerland from there. The airports in Switzerland were closed because of the ash.

Source: Iltasanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Alonso's Blog: Finally at home!

Posted by Fernando Alonso

Finally I'm back at home! I left on 8 March for Bahrain and was on the road until last night, for what was probably the longest journey of the season. I'm glad being back in Europe, especially because the result of this season's start if definitely positive. Despite the negative outcome of the race in Sepang it's a dream to be on the second place in the standings just two points behind the leader, who is also my teammate and that Ferrari is leading the Constructors' standings.

We had a very difficult weekend in Malaysia. It's a pity, because we had very high expectations and as far as our performance level was concerned we had the confirmation that our expectations are justified. We made a bad evaluation mistake in the qualifying and we paid for it in the race, where we also had reliability problems. Something like this can happen to anyone and we have to learn our lesson so we don't repeat certain mistakes.

I'm not worried about the reliability. I think that what provoked the engine failure was a one-off and the team told me that there is no connection to the problems Sauber had and none to the anomalies we had before we changed the engines on Sunday in Bahrain. As far as the performance is concerned, we were also competitive in Malaysia. Sepang was a track with different characteristics compared to the previous two and the F10 showed that it could adapt itself very well. We still have to improve benefiting from the tyres on the first timed lap, but the pace in the race is very good.

We now have a week of preparations for the Chinese GP ahead of us. This is a good occasion for us drivers to charge the batteries, while the team will work on some new elements, which might be brought to China, making the car faster. I think that the F10 adapts itself very well to the Shanghai circuit's characteristics and we can be optimistic. During the next races we have to try to get on the podium: being constantly amongst the top three means to be in a good position for the fight for the title.

Source: Alonso's Blog - Ferrari.com