Kimi Räikkönen set the fastest time on his first day of running with other drivers since his return to Formula 1
Source: Formula1Arab
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Kimi, can we start talking about winning?
Kimi Räikkönen took calmly the top time in Jerez F1 test on the opening day.
Räikkönen charged his new Lotus car to top speed immediately, faster than any in the last year's Jerez test. So can we start talking about victories or podium finishes on the beginning season?
- Hard to say. I have no idea. This first day has not changed anything. I do not know how we compare to others. Maybe we will know it in the last tests, or the first race. Then you'll see it. Hopefully we get a good result to be able to fight against the other top teams. It remains to be seen, Räikkönen said to MTV3.
The new E20 car worked well in the hands of Räikkönen.
- The car left a good impression. It worked quite well. There is of course room for improvement. If you run longer stints, tyres go bad and starts to slip. There is still work to be done to keep the tyres in better condition. But I would say that I have had worse first days, Räikkönen summed up feelings of his car.
MTV3, Jani Merimaa, Jerez
Courtesy: reppo
Jerez Day One: Day belongs to Kimi Räikkönen
Kimi Räikkönen's first official day back in Formula One ended in glory as the Lotus driver claimed the P1 slot as pre-season testing got underway
Behind the wheel of his new Lotus E20 and permitted to go higher than second gear - Raikkonen had put the car through a shakedown a day earlier where he could go into second gear due to filming commitments - the Iceman quickly shook off any lingering rust.
Raikkonen moved to the top of the timesheets early on before lowering the benchmark to a 1:19.670 midway through the morning session.
That time proved to be unbeatable as Tuesday's running progressed, ensuring the 32-year-old started his comeback in the rather familiar position of P1.
"Lap times may mean little at this stage, but it's still great to see Kimi at the top," Tweeted his Lotus team.
Paul di Resta, in action for Force India with their new VJM05, was second quickest as his morning time, as well as that of Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg, was untouchable.
The first change from the morning to the afternoon's order was with Mark Webber. The Aussei clocked a 1:21.474 prior to lunch having only completed eight laps after Red Bull were forced to wait for parts for their new RB8.
But once underway properly in the afternoon, Webber worked his way down to a 1:20.496, putting in another 46 laps.
Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo was next in line even though his day was cut short due to an oil pressure problem in the afternoon which resulted in the first red flag of the day.
"Daniel felt confident in the car and we ran trouble free until we lost some oil pressure, at which point the engine protector did its job and stopped the car," explained team boss Franz Tost.
"We are now investigating this loss of oil pressure, but we are confident we can have another good day tomorrow. As the failure happened at four o'clock, we only lost one hour's track time which we expect to make up for tomorrow.
"The car looks nice but the important thing is that it should be fast. My first impression, having enjoyed the rare experience of going out onto the track to watch it in action through some corners this morning, is that the basis of the car is quite good and healthy."
The only other red flag of the day belonged to Kamui Kobayashi, who was seventh quickest behind Michael Schumacher. The Japanese driver came to a halt out on track 30 minutes before the close of play. But with 104 laps under his belt, Sauber won't be too concerned.
Jenson Button and Felipe Massa, both of whom had quiet days in their new cars, were eighth and ninth quickest ahead of Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen.
Kovalainen's running, though, was cut short when a damaged starter shaft brought his day to its conclusion an hour before schedule.
"Testing finished for the day unfortunately," Tweeted Mike Gascoyne. "No problem with the car but a damaged starter shaft means we can't start it."
But despite that minor issue, Kovalainen was happy to be back in action. "We were first out on track this morning and the early feeling I had from the car was good. It's far too early to tell how much we've progressed but it already feels like we're going in the right direction.
"We obviously didn't want to end early today but we couldn't sort out the starter shaft issue in time to get back on track, but I'm reasonably pleased with what we have achieved today and I know the team will put in the work tonight to get us back out on track tomorrow and pick up where we left off today."
Unofficial Times
01 Räikkönen Lotus C20 1:19.670 75 laps
02 Di Resta Force India VJM05 1:19.772 101 laps
03 Rosberg Mercedes GP W02 1:20.219 56 laps
04 Webber Red Bull RB8 1:20.496 54 laps
05 Ricciardo Toro Rosso STR7 1:20.694 57 laps
06 Schumacher Mercedes GP W02 1:20.794 42 laps
07 Kobayashi Sauber C31 1:21.353 106 laps
08 Button McLaren MP4-27 1:21.350 62 laps
09 Massa Ferrari F2012 1:22.815 69 laps
10 Kovalainen Caterham CT01 1:23.178 28 laps
11 Maldonado Williams FW34 1:23.371 25 laps
12 De la Rosa HRT F111 1:23.676 44 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Behind the wheel of his new Lotus E20 and permitted to go higher than second gear - Raikkonen had put the car through a shakedown a day earlier where he could go into second gear due to filming commitments - the Iceman quickly shook off any lingering rust.Raikkonen moved to the top of the timesheets early on before lowering the benchmark to a 1:19.670 midway through the morning session.
That time proved to be unbeatable as Tuesday's running progressed, ensuring the 32-year-old started his comeback in the rather familiar position of P1.
"Lap times may mean little at this stage, but it's still great to see Kimi at the top," Tweeted his Lotus team.
Paul di Resta, in action for Force India with their new VJM05, was second quickest as his morning time, as well as that of Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg, was untouchable.
The first change from the morning to the afternoon's order was with Mark Webber. The Aussei clocked a 1:21.474 prior to lunch having only completed eight laps after Red Bull were forced to wait for parts for their new RB8.
But once underway properly in the afternoon, Webber worked his way down to a 1:20.496, putting in another 46 laps.
Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo was next in line even though his day was cut short due to an oil pressure problem in the afternoon which resulted in the first red flag of the day.
"Daniel felt confident in the car and we ran trouble free until we lost some oil pressure, at which point the engine protector did its job and stopped the car," explained team boss Franz Tost.
"We are now investigating this loss of oil pressure, but we are confident we can have another good day tomorrow. As the failure happened at four o'clock, we only lost one hour's track time which we expect to make up for tomorrow.
"The car looks nice but the important thing is that it should be fast. My first impression, having enjoyed the rare experience of going out onto the track to watch it in action through some corners this morning, is that the basis of the car is quite good and healthy."
The only other red flag of the day belonged to Kamui Kobayashi, who was seventh quickest behind Michael Schumacher. The Japanese driver came to a halt out on track 30 minutes before the close of play. But with 104 laps under his belt, Sauber won't be too concerned.
Jenson Button and Felipe Massa, both of whom had quiet days in their new cars, were eighth and ninth quickest ahead of Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen.
Kovalainen's running, though, was cut short when a damaged starter shaft brought his day to its conclusion an hour before schedule.
"Testing finished for the day unfortunately," Tweeted Mike Gascoyne. "No problem with the car but a damaged starter shaft means we can't start it."
But despite that minor issue, Kovalainen was happy to be back in action. "We were first out on track this morning and the early feeling I had from the car was good. It's far too early to tell how much we've progressed but it already feels like we're going in the right direction.
"We obviously didn't want to end early today but we couldn't sort out the starter shaft issue in time to get back on track, but I'm reasonably pleased with what we have achieved today and I know the team will put in the work tonight to get us back out on track tomorrow and pick up where we left off today."
Unofficial Times
01 Räikkönen Lotus C20 1:19.670 75 laps
02 Di Resta Force India VJM05 1:19.772 101 laps
03 Rosberg Mercedes GP W02 1:20.219 56 laps
04 Webber Red Bull RB8 1:20.496 54 laps
05 Ricciardo Toro Rosso STR7 1:20.694 57 laps
06 Schumacher Mercedes GP W02 1:20.794 42 laps
07 Kobayashi Sauber C31 1:21.353 106 laps
08 Button McLaren MP4-27 1:21.350 62 laps
09 Massa Ferrari F2012 1:22.815 69 laps
10 Kovalainen Caterham CT01 1:23.178 28 laps
11 Maldonado Williams FW34 1:23.371 25 laps
12 De la Rosa HRT F111 1:23.676 44 laps
Source: Planet-F1
Jerez: Flying start to Kimi's comeback
Kimi Räikkönen's return to Formula One was off to the perfect start at Jerez on Tuesday as the Finn posted the fastest lap time of the morning
Behind the wheel of his new Lotus E20 - just one of nine brand new cars in action on the first day of pre-season testing - the 32-year-old clocked a 1:19.670.
It was an impressive start to his comeback as not once during the session did Räikkönen relinquish the P1 slot,
Paul di Resta, who was putting Force India's new VJM05 through its paces, was next in line, 0.102s behind Räikkönen while Nico Rosberg, who was driving a modified version of last year's W02, was third.
Exciting Toro Rosso prospect Daniel Ricciardo was fourth quickest, edging out Mark Webber and Kamui Kobayashi.
Webber, though, had a slow start to his morning as the Aussie only ventured out late as Red Bull had to wait for components to arrive. He managed just eight laps with a best time of 1:21.474.
Jenson Button, the only one riving a new car that did not feature a stepped nose design, finished ahead of Felipe Massa. Button, though, reportedly had a few problems with the floor of his MP4-27 overheating.
Meanwhile, Ferrari were happy with Massa's first few hours as he put in the laps in his flo-painted F2012, finishing just over three seconds adrift of Räikkönen's best.
"The first part of today's job has been completed without any issue on the car," the Italian stable Tweeted.
"Felipe completed a total of 51 laps, the quickest in 1.22.815."
Heikki Kovalainen and Pastor Maldonado also debuted their teams' new cars while Pedro de la Rosa completed the timesheets in last year's HRT.
Unofficial Times
1. Räikkönen 1:19.670 50 laps
2 Di Resta 1:19.772 52
3 Rosberg 1:20.219 56
4 Ricciardo 1:20.694 40
5 Webber 1:21.474 8
6 Kobayashi 1:22.112 29
7 Button 1:22.366 22
8 Massa 1:22.815 51
9 Kovalainen 1:23.178 23
10 Maldonado 1:23.371 16
11 De la Rosa 1:24.209 32
Source: Planet-F1
Behind the wheel of his new Lotus E20 - just one of nine brand new cars in action on the first day of pre-season testing - the 32-year-old clocked a 1:19.670.It was an impressive start to his comeback as not once during the session did Räikkönen relinquish the P1 slot,
Paul di Resta, who was putting Force India's new VJM05 through its paces, was next in line, 0.102s behind Räikkönen while Nico Rosberg, who was driving a modified version of last year's W02, was third.
Exciting Toro Rosso prospect Daniel Ricciardo was fourth quickest, edging out Mark Webber and Kamui Kobayashi.
Webber, though, had a slow start to his morning as the Aussie only ventured out late as Red Bull had to wait for components to arrive. He managed just eight laps with a best time of 1:21.474.
Jenson Button, the only one riving a new car that did not feature a stepped nose design, finished ahead of Felipe Massa. Button, though, reportedly had a few problems with the floor of his MP4-27 overheating.
Meanwhile, Ferrari were happy with Massa's first few hours as he put in the laps in his flo-painted F2012, finishing just over three seconds adrift of Räikkönen's best.
"The first part of today's job has been completed without any issue on the car," the Italian stable Tweeted.
"Felipe completed a total of 51 laps, the quickest in 1.22.815."
Heikki Kovalainen and Pastor Maldonado also debuted their teams' new cars while Pedro de la Rosa completed the timesheets in last year's HRT.
Unofficial Times
1. Räikkönen 1:19.670 50 laps
2 Di Resta 1:19.772 52
3 Rosberg 1:20.219 56
4 Ricciardo 1:20.694 40
5 Webber 1:21.474 8
6 Kobayashi 1:22.112 29
7 Button 1:22.366 22
8 Massa 1:22.815 51
9 Kovalainen 1:23.178 23
10 Maldonado 1:23.371 16
11 De la Rosa 1:24.209 32
Source: Planet-F1
Räikkönen to reunite with former McLaren engineer
Kimi Räikkönen will have a familiar race engineer for his return to Formula 1 this year. Finnish reports in Turun Sanomat and the television broadcaster MTV3 claim that the 2007 world champion will work with Mark Slade.
Slade, recently at Mercedes GP working alongside Michael Schumacher, was Räikkönen’s race engineer at McLaren years ago. Slade also previously worked as a race engineer to Mika Hakkinen and Heikki Kovalainen.
Räikkönen will start working together with his engineer at Barcelona at the last test before Melbourne. “I wanted him and I am pleased that it worked out,” Räikkönen confirmed.
In other news, Eric Boullier has denied rumours Räikkönen is a shareholder in the Lotus team. It was reported that the 2007 world champion’s retainer this year was subsidised by owner Genii granting the returning F1 driver a small slice of the Enstone based team.
“He has no shareholding. It is complete nonsense,” Boullier is quoted by MTV3.
“Räikkönen has a two-year contract as driver,” he added. “Genii Capital holds 100 per cent of the team.”
Boullier also dismissed suggestions Räikkönen, whose teammate is the reigning GP2 champion Romain Grosjean, is Lotus’ obvious number one driver.
“There is no such thing in the contract,” he said.
Source: F1Zone.net
Monday, February 6, 2012
Räikkönen: Ferrari just a team among others
Kimi Räikkönen says that defeating Ferrari drivers is not a specific target for him in this season.
Räikkönen won the world championship for Ferrari in 2007, but left the Italian team and F1 in a special atmosphere after the 2009 season. In the paddock there was a rumor that Ferrari one way or another smoked Räikkönen out from the team to make room for Fernando Alonso.
Räikkönen, however, assures that beating Ferrari will not bring him any particular pleasure.
- All teams must be won if you want succeed.
- Drivers have always changed teams before, and raced against their old teams. Ferrari is only one competitor among others. And Ferrari have not even been at the top for few years now. But hopefully we are able to challenge all the teams, the current Lotus pilot Räikkönen explained.
MTV3 STT
Courtesy: reppo
Lotus found Räikkönen from deep frost - see the cartoon!
Lotus F1 team found Kimi Räikkönen to be their this year driver from deep frost, at least if we are to believe a comic strip the team published on Monday, handing out press materials.In the comic an expedition drills Iceman out thick ice mass.
Swiss-Frenchman Romain Grosjean, on the other hand was found to drive the other car from a native African warrior camp.
A cartoon is published in the MTV3 with the approval of Lotus F1 Team
Courtesy: reppo
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Kimi Räikkönen: A to Z
Animated:
A word that has not frequently been used to describe Kimi’s appearances in press conferences, interviews, etc.
Belgium:
The Finn has won the Belgian Grand Prix more than any other race – with a total of four victories from his last five visits to the ultimate driver’s circuit, Spa.
Champion:
Kimi made his F1 bow testing a Sauber in 2000 at Italy’s Mugello circuit. The only other driver on track, Michael Schumacher, saw enough to correctly declare him a future champion (see O).
Dahlman:
On 31 July 2004 Kimi Matias Raikkonen married Jenni Dahlman, a Finnish model and former Miss Scandinavia.
Eighteen:
Kimi has a total of 18 grand prix victories from his Formula 1 career so far. The first came at Sepang in 2003, the most recent at Spa in 2009 (see L).
Fastest laps:
Kimi has an enviable total of 35 fastest laps, which places him third on the all-time list behind only Michael Schumacher (76) and Alain Prost (41).
G Forces:
after two seasons in the WRC, Kimi’s going to need to work on his neck to withstand F1’s cornering forces.
Hinwil:
Home of Kimi’s first Formula 1 team, Sauber.
Iceman:
The Finn has the word Iceman emblazoned on his crash helmet. He’s cool, you see...
James Hunt:
Another F1 world champion who has apparently offered Kimi both inspiration and a pseudonym for races in both snowmobiles and powerboats.
Karting:
Kimi owned his first kart when he was eight years old. He started competing in 1988 and went on to take the Nordic Championship a decade later.
Last lap:
The Finn produced perhaps his greatest victory at Suzuka in 2005 from 17th on the grid, storming through the field to pass Giancarlo Fisichella on lap 53 of 53.
Motocross:
Kimi founded his own Motocross World Championship team, Ice 1 Racing.
NASCAR:
Kimi has also ventured into racing in the United States, making his debut in the Camping World Truck Series last year (see X).
One point:
This was the margin by which Kimi took the 2007 F1 world championship ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Pole:
Kimi has taken a total of 16 F1 pole positions, the latest at Magny-Cours in 2008.
Queen:
Anything HRH can do... In 2008 Kimi appeared on a set of Finnish postage stamps.
Renault:
Most of Kimi’s pre-F1 experience came in Formula Renault. He won the 2000 title with seven wins and ten podiums from ten races.
Snow:
The Iceman is fond of anything freezing and white – with snowmobiles, snowboards and ice hockey among his favourite pastimes.
Twenty-three:
Kimi famously only had a total of 23 car races in his life before he made his F1. He won 13 of them...
Unique style:
No-one else dresses quite like Kimi in F1.
Victory:
Winning the 2007 World Championship.
WRC:
Kimi has a total of 59 points from his time in the World Rally Championship. He also has a stage victory to his name from the 2010 Rallye Deutschland.
X-rated:
We learned from Kimi’s NASCAR pit-to-car radio conversations that we should make sure he has enough in his drinks bottle...
Yacht:
Kimi is a big fan of yachting.
Zzzzzzzz:
At his first F1 race at Melbourne in 2001, Kimi surprised all by being cool enough to have a nap half an hour before going to the grid. He went on to score a point for 6th place and the Iceman was born.
Source: LotusRenaultGP
Q&A with Kimi Räikkönen at the Lotus E20 launch
I think we’ll have a lot of fun in the season ahead and hopefully we will get some good results. I want a strong enough car to challenge for good results
The 2007 Formula 1 World champion talks of his return to the sport with the lotus F1 Team after two years away in the forests and stages of the World Rally championship
Why F1?
Formula 1 is something very special in my racing career, and you always want to race at the toughest level, so Formula 1 is where you want to race if you have a choice.
What do you think of the team now you’ve completed two days testing?
I’m happy with the team, they are very nice people, very easy going and it was nice to work with them for the two days I did in the R30. I think we’ll have a lot of fun in the season ahead and hopefully we will get some good results. I want a strong enough car to challenge for good results.
When did you decide to finish rallying and to go back to Formula 1?
When I did the NASCAR races, I enjoyed the racing and I want to do more racing. I still want to do rally and if I could I’d do them both at the same time – but this isn’t possible. For sure I will do rallying again in the future. I want to do racing as I had a really good time in NASCAR racing against other people and I realised that I was missing this – that’s when I decided that if there was a good chance to return properly that I would do it.
What are your thoughts on how F1 has changed since you last competed?
In 2010 I didn’t really follow Formula 1 but I saw more races last year. It doesn’t really look different, but there is overtaking in some different places where people can just drive past by opening the rear wing and the driver in front has no chance to defend himself – so is this really overtaking? I don’t think it counts all the time. But for sure the show is better. The tyres make a difference too, as there is a big speed difference between when the tyres are new and when the tyres are old. In the old Formula 1, you had to be so much faster than the guy in front of you to have any chance to overtake, but now with the tyres and the DRS, it’s different.
Do you have anything to prove with your return?
I think people expect things from me, but as long as I know that I’m giving 100% and I’m happy with my driving then I’m happy. If those aspects are true and it’s not enough, then it’s not enough.
How well do you know your new team-mate, Romain Grosjean?
I think we will have a good relationship. I met him before Christmas and I raced against him in 2009. He seems a very nice and normal guy, so I don’t see any problems there.
Source: LotusRenaultGP
The 2007 Formula 1 World champion talks of his return to the sport with the lotus F1 Team after two years away in the forests and stages of the World Rally championshipWhy F1?
Formula 1 is something very special in my racing career, and you always want to race at the toughest level, so Formula 1 is where you want to race if you have a choice.
What do you think of the team now you’ve completed two days testing?
I’m happy with the team, they are very nice people, very easy going and it was nice to work with them for the two days I did in the R30. I think we’ll have a lot of fun in the season ahead and hopefully we will get some good results. I want a strong enough car to challenge for good results.
When did you decide to finish rallying and to go back to Formula 1?
When I did the NASCAR races, I enjoyed the racing and I want to do more racing. I still want to do rally and if I could I’d do them both at the same time – but this isn’t possible. For sure I will do rallying again in the future. I want to do racing as I had a really good time in NASCAR racing against other people and I realised that I was missing this – that’s when I decided that if there was a good chance to return properly that I would do it.
What are your thoughts on how F1 has changed since you last competed?
In 2010 I didn’t really follow Formula 1 but I saw more races last year. It doesn’t really look different, but there is overtaking in some different places where people can just drive past by opening the rear wing and the driver in front has no chance to defend himself – so is this really overtaking? I don’t think it counts all the time. But for sure the show is better. The tyres make a difference too, as there is a big speed difference between when the tyres are new and when the tyres are old. In the old Formula 1, you had to be so much faster than the guy in front of you to have any chance to overtake, but now with the tyres and the DRS, it’s different.
Do you have anything to prove with your return?
I think people expect things from me, but as long as I know that I’m giving 100% and I’m happy with my driving then I’m happy. If those aspects are true and it’s not enough, then it’s not enough.
How well do you know your new team-mate, Romain Grosjean?
I think we will have a good relationship. I met him before Christmas and I raced against him in 2009. He seems a very nice and normal guy, so I don’t see any problems there.
Source: LotusRenaultGP
Friday, February 3, 2012
Force India VJM05 breaks cover at Silverstone
Sahara Force India unveiled its 2012 challenger today as Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg pulled the covers off the VJM05 at Silverstone. They were joined by reserve driver, Jules Bianchi, as the team’s new car was presented for the first time.
The VJM05 is the second car to be created under the watch of Technical Director, Andrew Green, as the team seeks to build on its on its sixth place finish in the constructors’ championship and take the fight to the teams that lie ahead.
“We have set our sights on challenging for fifth place,” explained Team Principal and Managing Director, Dr. Vijay Mallya. “To do so we will need to begin the new campaign by delivering the kind of form we showed in the second half of 2011. I believe this is a realistic goal and that we have the talent and determination to realise these ambitions.”
Chief Operating Officer, Otmar Szafnauer, echoed those sentiments as he praised the team’s efforts to develop the VJM05: “The new car has come together nicely over the winter. We don’t know what our competitors have done, but we’ve made some gains over the winter and believe we’re in reasonable shape. It’s going to be difficult in the midfield, but our focus is on starting strongly and improving our position from last season.”
Summing up the approach to 2012, Andrew Green added: “The car looks more refined; a lot racier and a lot more purposeful. You can start to see the aerodynamic concepts coming through now. It looks quite a bit different to the previous years, and so far the performance in the tunnel has been encouraging.”
The drivers were delighted to get their first glimpse of the new car and set out their hopes for the season ahead:
Paul Di Resta: “Seeing the new car built and complete for the first time is always an exciting moment. It’s when you realise that all the waiting is finally over and the season is beginning for real. I’ve had a good winter and I’ve recharged my batteries, but now I’m fully focussed on 2012 and looking forward to the start of testing. There’s a really positive feeling in the team, good stability and hopefully we can pick up where we left off at the end of last year.”
Nico Hulkenberg: “I saw the new car in the wind tunnel a few times and followed its progress during the winter. It looks aggressive and fast, but we won’t know where we stand until we get out there and compete against the others. Preparations for the new season have been full-on with simulator sessions and lots of fitness training. I feel ready to get back to racing and I’m excited to find out what the new car feels like next week.”
Source: YallaF1
Ferrari launch 'aggressive' F2012
In another dramatic sign of the times, Ferrari have launched their radical 2012 charger - the F2012
Though hailed as an 'aggressive' car, attention is bound to be focused on another, rather ugly, 'boxer's nose' and radical front-end design.
Having been forced by snowy weather to cancel their plan to launch their new car in front of an invited audience, Ferrari instead took the wraps off online, with the 'Scuderia Ferrari 2012 single-seater' unveiled on the team's website.
"We know the future of the company depends on what we do here today," said team boss Stefano Domenicali. No pressure then.
The car was unveiled by drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa and, according to first impressions, is far closer in look to the Caterham CT01 than the relatively-conventional McLaren.
"This is something that was part of my dreams, I really trust the team and the new car," said Massa. "It looks really, really aggressive."
That's one way of putting it.
The car's most distinctive feature is another 'boxer's nose', with the car a radical departure from Ferrari's designs of the recent past. It can't, however, be described as a pretty car. With the sharply-stepped nose, in layman's terms, perched on front-wing tusks, it is certainly an attention-grabbing challenger, however.
Looking ahead to the new season, Alonso remarked: "We have to be resolute and positive for the season ahead. We have to fight for the title."
Meanwhile, speaking on a weblink, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo repeated his demand for the under-pressure Massa, who has just a single year remaining on his contract, to improve his performances this season.
"He knows as much as we know that he has to do something great, something better after a not-so-positive season," announced the typically-forthright di Montezemolo. "We are offering him the best conditions to do a great job."
Yet, for the timebeing at least, it's the team's new car that is the centre of attention at Maranello. With the unveiling endorsing reports last week in Italy that Ferrari's latest creation was not a looker, the team will be hoping that beauty is no barometer of speed.
"I am sure our car will be winning right from the beginning," declared Stefano Domenicali in confident fashion. "We have learned many lessons from the past, and taken some difficult decisions. But I am sure all our efforts will be represented with this car.
"From a technical point of view, we have many novelties in terms of mechanics and also the shape of the car. We wanted continuity here, and hopefully we will reach the right performance."
Now for the hard work - with the car set to be put through its pace for the first time in Jerez next week.
"We have only 12 days to work on the car and achieve reliability, and also test the new tyres that have been given to us by Pirelli," added Domenicali.
Source: SkySports
Though hailed as an 'aggressive' car, attention is bound to be focused on another, rather ugly, 'boxer's nose' and radical front-end design.Having been forced by snowy weather to cancel their plan to launch their new car in front of an invited audience, Ferrari instead took the wraps off online, with the 'Scuderia Ferrari 2012 single-seater' unveiled on the team's website.
"We know the future of the company depends on what we do here today," said team boss Stefano Domenicali. No pressure then.
The car was unveiled by drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa and, according to first impressions, is far closer in look to the Caterham CT01 than the relatively-conventional McLaren.
"This is something that was part of my dreams, I really trust the team and the new car," said Massa. "It looks really, really aggressive."
That's one way of putting it.
The car's most distinctive feature is another 'boxer's nose', with the car a radical departure from Ferrari's designs of the recent past. It can't, however, be described as a pretty car. With the sharply-stepped nose, in layman's terms, perched on front-wing tusks, it is certainly an attention-grabbing challenger, however.
Looking ahead to the new season, Alonso remarked: "We have to be resolute and positive for the season ahead. We have to fight for the title."
Meanwhile, speaking on a weblink, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo repeated his demand for the under-pressure Massa, who has just a single year remaining on his contract, to improve his performances this season.
"He knows as much as we know that he has to do something great, something better after a not-so-positive season," announced the typically-forthright di Montezemolo. "We are offering him the best conditions to do a great job."
Yet, for the timebeing at least, it's the team's new car that is the centre of attention at Maranello. With the unveiling endorsing reports last week in Italy that Ferrari's latest creation was not a looker, the team will be hoping that beauty is no barometer of speed.
"I am sure our car will be winning right from the beginning," declared Stefano Domenicali in confident fashion. "We have learned many lessons from the past, and taken some difficult decisions. But I am sure all our efforts will be represented with this car.
"From a technical point of view, we have many novelties in terms of mechanics and also the shape of the car. We wanted continuity here, and hopefully we will reach the right performance."
Now for the hard work - with the car set to be put through its pace for the first time in Jerez next week.
"We have only 12 days to work on the car and achieve reliability, and also test the new tyres that have been given to us by Pirelli," added Domenicali.
Source: SkySports
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Video: Kimi Räikkönen Press Conference in Zurich
Interview with Kimi Räikkönen during Press Conference Lotus Renault in Zurich 26-01-2012
Courtesy: _TaniaS_
Courtesy: _TaniaS_
A special Jeep to tackle the snow in Maranello
Maranello, 2 February –Special conditions call for special measures. Unusually, there has been so much snow falling on Maranello these past few days that, this afternoon, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso each had a special vehicle to get around in. They were the first two examples of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the quickest and most powerful Jeep ever built. The cars were handed over to the Scuderia Ferrari drivers by Beth Peretta, Director Marketing and Operations SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC.
The two cars had a special trim, bringing some exclusive styling details and the unmistakeable Rosso Corsa colour which is a distinguishing feature of the cars from the Maranello marque. The two Grand Cherokke SRT8, personalised for the Scuderia Ferrari champions are the first of the new high performance version of the Jeep flagship to hit Europe, where it will go on sale this summer.
“We are excited and proud to be able to hand over the exclusively personalised “Ferrari-style” versions of the most powerful and fastest Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 of all time to two of the most talented drivers in the world,” said Beth Peretta. “We are sure Fernando and Felipe will feel perfectly at home at the wheel of these cars that take styling cues from Ferrari with Rosso Corsa bodywork and that represent the pinnacle in terms of performance for the Jeep brand. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 offers all who love driving, a unique combination of the amazing capacity of the Jeep on road and track, with the pinnacle of personalised style and technology.”
Source: Ferrari.com
Hamilton: I feel very free of the burdens I had last year
If Lewis Hamilton was his own worst enemy at times last year, the McLaren driver assured the world on Wednesday that he would be starting the new Formula One season very much at ease with himself again.
“I think it was just a fantastic winter where I got to spend time with friends and family and really was able to wind down,” said the 27-year-old, who complained last year about feeling burnt out.
“I let loose for the first week where I did a bit of skiing and then I ate pancakes and all that stuff that I said I wasn’t going to do,” he told Reuters after the launch of the new MP4-27 car at the Woking factory.
“I then got into quite an intense training regime and sat down in between times where I analysed the year and certain things in my personal life which weren’t as good as they could be and went about correcting those things. Today I just feel very fresh in my mind and very free of perhaps any of the burdens that I had on me last year.”
Hamilton’s 2011 season was punctuated by crashes and collisions, mostly with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, and his on/off/on again relationship with American pop singer Nicole Scherzinger.
He said he was now fully focused on the job of being a grand prix driver, “What I have decided to do this year is just focus on the most important thing and that’s racing.”
“Of course I accept that my personal life is in the domain but I’d rather just focus on racing. But things are good. So I’m happy.”
Hamilton won three races last season but was beaten by Jenson Button, the first team mate who has ever finished a campaign ahead of him overall.
Despite that fact, bookmakers have already established Hamilton as 5/1 joint second favourite for the title along with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, behind Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel but ahead of Button on 7/1.
“I want to win every race. I think I can,” he said of the season that starts in Melbourne on March 18. I think I’ve got the ability to. I think if the car is where we hope the car is, there’s no reason why we can’t do that.
“The only thing that ever gets in your way is your own mind and your own insecurities or obstacles that you put in your way. But I think the most important thing is to put those things aside and to overcome them and I think I have.
“Standing right in front of you I feel stronger than I was a few months ago particularly, but even more so than I was last year at the start of the year,” he said.
Hamilton’s McLaren contract expires at the end of the season, but he said he would aim to clear that up as soon as possible to calm paddock speculation.
“That’s going to be a big topic,” he recognised. “At the moment the focus is just on the preparation we have coming up for the season.”
“I think probably after the first couple of races it’s something we will probably want to get out of the way so we can focus on the rest of the year without the team being concerned and without it being something that’s just hanging around for us so then you guys won’t be having to ask questions about it.”
Source: YallaF1
New Ferrari launch cancelled because of snow
Maranello, 2 February – There was no let up from the snow last night, which continued to fall on Maranello and the surrounding area and the situation does not appear to be changing this morning. The forecast is still bad both in terms of predictions of more snow fall and of a further drop in temperature.
Therefore, the decision has been taken to cancel the presentation ceremony for the new car, which was to have taken place at 10.30 tomorrow. The decision was taken because of the weather conditions and because of the difficulties that would have faced the 300 or so people due to attend from the team partners, the authorities and representatives of the media in their attempts to get to Maranello.
Photographs and all technical information relating to the car, along with exclusive interviews, will be available to all on www.ferrarif1.com.
Source: Ferrari.com
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Video: Scuderia Ferrari Racing News n.2
The 2012 Formula 1 Championship is just around the corner. Just before the start of the season, the presentation of the new single-seater and the first test sessions, the Scuderia Ferrari drivers were in a training camp in Lanzarote on the Canary Islands. In this issue of the Scuderia Ferrari Racing News Alonso, Massa, Bianchi and Rigon tell about their physical preparations, while Massimo Rivola and Stefano Domenicali talk about the importance of this event also to strengthen the team spirit
Source: ferrariworld
Source: ferrariworld
McLaren team reveal new car for 2012 Formula 1 season
McLaren have unveiled the car Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hope will win one of them the drivers' title
Hamilton described the MP4-27, unveiled at the team's Surrey base, as "the finest-looking car we've had for some time".
The car features a notably tightly packaged rear end, after the fashion of the Red Bull that has dominated Formula 1 for the last two seasons.
"We're excited. I'm sure every team is a little apprehensive," Button said.
Among other notable features, the car does not have the platypus-style nose that is expected to feature on many designs this year as a result of a change in the rules requiring a lower nose height.
Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' world title in a McLaren in 2008, with Jenson Button winning the championship in a Brawn a year later.
But Red Bull have won the last two constructors' championship, with Sebastian Vettel securing the drivers' title in both seasons .
McLaren have not won the constructors' title since 1998.
Button added: "This is a beautiful car - many you will see will not be.
"There are some good rule changes giving the engineers and aerodynamicists something to really think about.
"Everyone seems positive, we will see how it is when we get out on to the track."
McLaren have also abandoned the distinctive L-shaped sidepods that distinguished the 2011 car, reverting to a more conventional shape.
Hamilton said: "The back of the car is much neater, it's much tighter. The focus was on getting it as tight as possible for aerodynamics.
"It's about dropping drag and we have tried to get as much downforce back as possible with the banning of the blown diffuser [where teams directed exhaust gases along the rear floor of the car even when the driver was off the throttle]."
He said that the rule change had made an obvious difference to the way the car feels, having already driven it in the team's simulator.
Hamilton added: "It's a lot trickier to drive now than it was but I'm sure, as we get into the season, we'll get that back."
Both men said they were looking forward to the challenge of the new season, which features six world champions for the first time in F1 history.
Kimi Raikkonen has returned to F1 with the Lotus team after two years in rallying, to join fellow champions Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton and Button.
"We love to have the competition and we love to have the great drivers out there," Hamilton said. "We hope there are no world champions added to [the list].
"It's great for the fans and the sport and hopefully we'll be able to put on a good show. We do have a good looking car and, when a car looks good, it generally is good."
Asked who the drivers expected McLaren's main competition to be, Button said: "The Red Bulls will be strong, they're not going to suddenly build a bad car after winning the championship for the last two years.
"Do we know where we stand? No, but the important thing is we focus on our own work in testing and in Melbourne we will find out where we are compared to our competitors."
Hamilton added: "Last year we were the team closest to the Red Bulls, that's comforting, and we improved a lot too. If we can start the season better than last year then we will put good building blocks down.
"We have the fastest rate of development, so that should give us a strong position to start the season."
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "It will be close, it's a massively competitive championship. No-one in my view is going to run away with it.
"We don't like losing, coming second in the last two years has been frustrating.
"We want to win races and world championships. We have two great racing drivers, everyone can see the chemistry between them but they want to beat each other.
"There are some very strong competitors out there but we are feeling at the moment as if we are in a good place and we're looking forward to getting to Melbourne and competing for championships."
Source: BBC Sports
Hamilton described the MP4-27, unveiled at the team's Surrey base, as "the finest-looking car we've had for some time".The car features a notably tightly packaged rear end, after the fashion of the Red Bull that has dominated Formula 1 for the last two seasons.
"We're excited. I'm sure every team is a little apprehensive," Button said.
Among other notable features, the car does not have the platypus-style nose that is expected to feature on many designs this year as a result of a change in the rules requiring a lower nose height.
Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' world title in a McLaren in 2008, with Jenson Button winning the championship in a Brawn a year later.
But Red Bull have won the last two constructors' championship, with Sebastian Vettel securing the drivers' title in both seasons .
McLaren have not won the constructors' title since 1998.
Button added: "This is a beautiful car - many you will see will not be.
"There are some good rule changes giving the engineers and aerodynamicists something to really think about.
"Everyone seems positive, we will see how it is when we get out on to the track."
McLaren have also abandoned the distinctive L-shaped sidepods that distinguished the 2011 car, reverting to a more conventional shape.
Hamilton said: "The back of the car is much neater, it's much tighter. The focus was on getting it as tight as possible for aerodynamics.
"It's about dropping drag and we have tried to get as much downforce back as possible with the banning of the blown diffuser [where teams directed exhaust gases along the rear floor of the car even when the driver was off the throttle]."
He said that the rule change had made an obvious difference to the way the car feels, having already driven it in the team's simulator.
Hamilton added: "It's a lot trickier to drive now than it was but I'm sure, as we get into the season, we'll get that back."
Both men said they were looking forward to the challenge of the new season, which features six world champions for the first time in F1 history.
Kimi Raikkonen has returned to F1 with the Lotus team after two years in rallying, to join fellow champions Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton and Button.
"We love to have the competition and we love to have the great drivers out there," Hamilton said. "We hope there are no world champions added to [the list].
"It's great for the fans and the sport and hopefully we'll be able to put on a good show. We do have a good looking car and, when a car looks good, it generally is good."
Asked who the drivers expected McLaren's main competition to be, Button said: "The Red Bulls will be strong, they're not going to suddenly build a bad car after winning the championship for the last two years.
"Do we know where we stand? No, but the important thing is we focus on our own work in testing and in Melbourne we will find out where we are compared to our competitors."
Hamilton added: "Last year we were the team closest to the Red Bulls, that's comforting, and we improved a lot too. If we can start the season better than last year then we will put good building blocks down.
"We have the fastest rate of development, so that should give us a strong position to start the season."
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "It will be close, it's a massively competitive championship. No-one in my view is going to run away with it.
"We don't like losing, coming second in the last two years has been frustrating.
"We want to win races and world championships. We have two great racing drivers, everyone can see the chemistry between them but they want to beat each other.
"There are some very strong competitors out there but we are feeling at the moment as if we are in a good place and we're looking forward to getting to Melbourne and competing for championships."
Source: BBC Sports
AutoSprint: Kimi is already at full throttle
You look at him, sunk into a sofa in front of the tv that is showing a match of Federer, and you wonder: why is he doing this? Kimi Raikkonen is still slim, always hazy in his look. Blond locks come out under his beanie that he wears even indoor. Why are you doing it, Kimi? You won a worldchampionship five years ago, last Ferrari driver who got it. You had fun with rallies, with Nascar, with Peugeot 908 (until it was possible). You know very well that with Lotus the chances to back to the top are few, especially at 32. And then? The money? You expect an unkind answer and instead he plays ball: “The money is just a part of the story, of course. But it’s not that I needed it. For sure it’s a work where you risk your own life, so…”
- Now you can say to have raced also in others categories. But is the F1 for you always something special?
“Special? I wouldn’t know. It’s what I have done for most of my career. But if you want to race, you try to make it at the top level. And if you can choose, you probably choose F1.”
- Can you tell us how were your negotiations with Lotus?
“Well, it didn’t work with Williams: their offer was not what I wanted. With Lotus we talked a bit about everything and it went all very fast. We easily found a deal that satisfied both.”
- Now you see at you like a rookie, who has a lot to learn, or as a champion who can teach something?
He smiles. He didn’t lose that way to speak lazy, but he seems he has more will to explain, to tell: “Uh, we’ll see how it goes. To tell the truth I didn’t think much about the results, so far. I just want to do the best I can, then I hope to make some good races too. I really don’t think that if something goes bad we’ll say: fu*k you, I give up all!”
- You come back after two years, Sch. After three…
“It’s not the case to make comparisons. I don’t know how easy or difficult was for him. I think about me.”
- You’ll find again the GPs but also the interviews with the press, the meetings, things that you hate. Do you expect something will change?
“I expect as the same as before. They say that everything changes, but I don’t believe it. And I have always said that I’m here because I like racing, the rest is part of F1 but it’s not the main thing. It’s always been like this and ever will be.
- When have you decided to give up with rallies?
“When I have tried Nascar and I felt I liked to race together with the others. And that I missed it. It’s not that I wanted to stop with rallies, I would do them even now, but I can’t. We’ll see in future.”
- Do you think that with more time you could reach Loeb’s level?
“I think that anyone hasn’t reached him yet… Rally is still one of the most difficult sport, it’s impressive how much fast some people go. But if you put them on a F1 car it’s the same story… I would have needed of two more years and maybe to make tests and to have an official team”.
- Did you follow the GPs during this time?
“Not at all in 2010, I started to watch some races last year, because I knew that I could probably come back. It doesn’t seem to me too much different. There are more overtakes but just because they often use the mobile wing. Are real overtakes these? Sure, there is more show, with the tyres and all, there are more different speeds on track. But it has always been in F1, to overtake someone you have to be more more faster.
- Did you return to win again?
“Well, winning is always good and the championship is always your main goal. But if doesn’t happen, it doesn’t change my life.” Here the old Kimi comes back… “It’s not my obsession. I think that people expect it to me, but I’m happy with my driving and if it’s not enough, it’s not enough. That’s all.”
- They said you left F1 because of the lack of motivation…
“Those who write it, don’t know me. Always these bulls*it around. What’s motivation got to do with it, when you know that your car is a sh*t and even doing the best you can, you can’t reach the result? It’s not always your fault. I never had a problem of motivation, I’m not interested in what they say.
- Is there nothing that you regret of your last period in Ferrari? Have you ever said to you “If I did so..”
“No, I have no regrets. I drove the best I have ever driven, it was the car that was not enough. If I came back, I wouldn’t change anything. Sure, you make mistakes: but they are used to learn.”
- Have you ever had the feeling that they wanted to shoot you because they were interested in taking Alonso?
“I’m not interested, really. I have no resentment. And then it was three years ago.”
- During Valencia test with the 2010 car you tried the Pirelli tyres (demo). Did you find some differences?
“I wouldn’t say. After a while the rear tyres go down, but I don’t find them so different. Even if they say me that those of this year will be different again.”
- You raced when there were fuel pit stops. Now they aren’t anymore…
“Ok, at the beginning you have 150 kg fuel. But it’s not a difference like day and night. We tried with full tank and it’s the same car, just heavier.
- You have to accustom yourself again with the buttons on the wheel. Those of R30 were not so “complete”…
“Yes, Kers was missing, but I used it in 2009 and it’s just one button. There wasn’t the DRS also, the mobile wing.. But in the end I don’t believe it will be so scary. Just more stuff to push after a bit it will be automatic.”
You will have Grosjean as teammate: would you prefer a more expert teammate?
“No. I met him before Christmas at the factory. We don’t know us so well yet but he seems to me a good guy.”
-Have you already changed your physical training?
“Yes, above all for the neck. In rallies also we have strong lateral accelerations, and the steering is even more hard. And then it’s more tiring. All the week you wake up at 5 in the morning, when in F1 you spend just a session of 1 hour half.
- About the Peugeot 908?
“Beautiful, fun. It seems big but you can drive it like a F1 car. Funny, it’s so quiet…”
- How long do you think to stay in F1?
“I had no plans before, I haven’t any now for the future. Ten years? No, I really can’t see myself in F1 so long…”
- Among the drivers now in F1, is there someone who impressed you?
“I can’t see big differences. Vettel was strong also two years ago. With the regulations, some teams can change position, but the stronger are always the same.”
- When you raced with Massa he sometimes was ahead of you. Are you surprised he had so many difficulties last year?
“Even in 2009 we had a difficult year. I don’t know if it was because of the tyres, for him or something else but sometimes it happens, even if you think to be as fast as before. For me Felipe is the same as he was years ago, there was just something that didn’t suit him well.
- In the end, were you bored at home?
“I had more time for myself, but rallying also took much time. And then I like staying at home in the freetime. But sometimes I missed travels, I had to go somewhere. It was nice to take a break, but now I think it will be all like before.”
Courtesy: _TaniaS_
- Now you can say to have raced also in others categories. But is the F1 for you always something special?
“Special? I wouldn’t know. It’s what I have done for most of my career. But if you want to race, you try to make it at the top level. And if you can choose, you probably choose F1.”
- Can you tell us how were your negotiations with Lotus?
“Well, it didn’t work with Williams: their offer was not what I wanted. With Lotus we talked a bit about everything and it went all very fast. We easily found a deal that satisfied both.”
- Now you see at you like a rookie, who has a lot to learn, or as a champion who can teach something?
He smiles. He didn’t lose that way to speak lazy, but he seems he has more will to explain, to tell: “Uh, we’ll see how it goes. To tell the truth I didn’t think much about the results, so far. I just want to do the best I can, then I hope to make some good races too. I really don’t think that if something goes bad we’ll say: fu*k you, I give up all!”
- You come back after two years, Sch. After three…
“It’s not the case to make comparisons. I don’t know how easy or difficult was for him. I think about me.”
- You’ll find again the GPs but also the interviews with the press, the meetings, things that you hate. Do you expect something will change?
“I expect as the same as before. They say that everything changes, but I don’t believe it. And I have always said that I’m here because I like racing, the rest is part of F1 but it’s not the main thing. It’s always been like this and ever will be.
- When have you decided to give up with rallies?
“When I have tried Nascar and I felt I liked to race together with the others. And that I missed it. It’s not that I wanted to stop with rallies, I would do them even now, but I can’t. We’ll see in future.”
- Do you think that with more time you could reach Loeb’s level?
“I think that anyone hasn’t reached him yet… Rally is still one of the most difficult sport, it’s impressive how much fast some people go. But if you put them on a F1 car it’s the same story… I would have needed of two more years and maybe to make tests and to have an official team”.
- Did you follow the GPs during this time?
“Not at all in 2010, I started to watch some races last year, because I knew that I could probably come back. It doesn’t seem to me too much different. There are more overtakes but just because they often use the mobile wing. Are real overtakes these? Sure, there is more show, with the tyres and all, there are more different speeds on track. But it has always been in F1, to overtake someone you have to be more more faster.
- Did you return to win again?
“Well, winning is always good and the championship is always your main goal. But if doesn’t happen, it doesn’t change my life.” Here the old Kimi comes back… “It’s not my obsession. I think that people expect it to me, but I’m happy with my driving and if it’s not enough, it’s not enough. That’s all.”
- They said you left F1 because of the lack of motivation…
“Those who write it, don’t know me. Always these bulls*it around. What’s motivation got to do with it, when you know that your car is a sh*t and even doing the best you can, you can’t reach the result? It’s not always your fault. I never had a problem of motivation, I’m not interested in what they say.
- Is there nothing that you regret of your last period in Ferrari? Have you ever said to you “If I did so..”
“No, I have no regrets. I drove the best I have ever driven, it was the car that was not enough. If I came back, I wouldn’t change anything. Sure, you make mistakes: but they are used to learn.”
- Have you ever had the feeling that they wanted to shoot you because they were interested in taking Alonso?
“I’m not interested, really. I have no resentment. And then it was three years ago.”
- During Valencia test with the 2010 car you tried the Pirelli tyres (demo). Did you find some differences?
“I wouldn’t say. After a while the rear tyres go down, but I don’t find them so different. Even if they say me that those of this year will be different again.”
- You raced when there were fuel pit stops. Now they aren’t anymore…
“Ok, at the beginning you have 150 kg fuel. But it’s not a difference like day and night. We tried with full tank and it’s the same car, just heavier.
- You have to accustom yourself again with the buttons on the wheel. Those of R30 were not so “complete”…
“Yes, Kers was missing, but I used it in 2009 and it’s just one button. There wasn’t the DRS also, the mobile wing.. But in the end I don’t believe it will be so scary. Just more stuff to push after a bit it will be automatic.”
You will have Grosjean as teammate: would you prefer a more expert teammate?
“No. I met him before Christmas at the factory. We don’t know us so well yet but he seems to me a good guy.”
-Have you already changed your physical training?
“Yes, above all for the neck. In rallies also we have strong lateral accelerations, and the steering is even more hard. And then it’s more tiring. All the week you wake up at 5 in the morning, when in F1 you spend just a session of 1 hour half.
- About the Peugeot 908?
“Beautiful, fun. It seems big but you can drive it like a F1 car. Funny, it’s so quiet…”
- How long do you think to stay in F1?
“I had no plans before, I haven’t any now for the future. Ten years? No, I really can’t see myself in F1 so long…”
- Among the drivers now in F1, is there someone who impressed you?
“I can’t see big differences. Vettel was strong also two years ago. With the regulations, some teams can change position, but the stronger are always the same.”
- When you raced with Massa he sometimes was ahead of you. Are you surprised he had so many difficulties last year?
“Even in 2009 we had a difficult year. I don’t know if it was because of the tyres, for him or something else but sometimes it happens, even if you think to be as fast as before. For me Felipe is the same as he was years ago, there was just something that didn’t suit him well.
- In the end, were you bored at home?
“I had more time for myself, but rallying also took much time. And then I like staying at home in the freetime. But sometimes I missed travels, I had to go somewhere. It was nice to take a break, but now I think it will be all like before.”
Courtesy: _TaniaS_
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