Lotus reveals 2012 car launch date

The team will unveil its 2012 challenger on February 5 & 6

Lotus F1 announced that it will unveil its 2012 contender via its new website on Sunday 5th February at 17h00 CET. The unveiling will also mark the launch of the team’s new website.

Furthermore, an event will be held on Monday 6th February, 13H00 local time, in the paddock of the Circuito de Jerez (Spain). This will be followed by a press conference with Kimi Räikkönen, Romain Grosjean, Technical Director James Allison, and Team Principal / Managing Director Eric Boullier.

Media will be able to see the 2012 car on track with Kimi Räikkönen at the wheel on the same day from 14H00 local time.

The event in Jerez will take place in the specially-built Lotus F1 Team dome structure situated in the car park area within the paddock.

The team’s provisional winter testing programme is as follows (subject to changes):

JEREZ; 7 – 10 February:
07 February: Kimi Räikkönen
08 February: Kimi Räikkönen
09 February: Romain Grosjean
10 February: Romain Grosjean

BARCELONA; 21 – 24 February:
21 February: Romain Grosjean
22 February: Romain Grosjean
23 February: Kimi Räikkönen
24 February: Kimi Räikkönen

BARCELONA; 1 – 4 March:
01 March: Romain Grosjean
02 March: Romain Grosjean
03 March: Kimi Räikkönen
04 March: Kimi Räikkönen

Source: NextgenAuto

Is Hamilton contemplating move to Red Bull?

It is not certain Lewis Hamilton will stay with the McLaren team beyond this year, according to 1996 world champion Damon Hill.

Although 2008 title winner Hamilton regularly pledges his loyalty to the famous British team, his contract runs out this year and last season he had talks with Christian Horner in the Red Bull motor home.

“It may be he will seek to move from McLaren,” pondered 51-year-old Hill, according to the Telegraph.

Earlier this week, former Williams driver Hill urged fellow Briton Hamilton to better manage his F1 career alongside his often troubled private life.

Part of improving that focus might involve leaving McLaren, suggested Hill, referring to the Woking based team that began grooming Hamilton for F1 stardom when he was a boy.

“It (leaving) may be something he feels he needs to do, which will be a bit like leaving home as he’s been there since he was 13,” said Hill.

“If I was Bernie (Ecclestone) I would probably want to see Lewis at Red Bull with Vettel.”

Source: YallaF1

Alonso fired up by Räikkönen return

Fernando Alonso believes that the return of Kimi Räikkönen will raise the game for 2012 and believes that there are more than a dozen drivers capable of winning races this season.

Alonso told TotalRace: “The fact that six champions will be on the grid raises the level of the championship. This makes me happy because it provides a big challenge and the desire to do well in a year with so many champions is higher for everyone.”

“Kimi’s return is certainly a very great news for all of us, not only to Formula 1, but also for the spectators, for people who love the races, because he is a very talented driver. I have always respected him and a driver you can trust racing wheel to wheel,” commented the 2005 and 2006 F1 world champion who replaced the Finn at Maranello for the 2010 season.

“We are 12 grand prix winners on the grid this season. So there are about 14 drivers capable of winning a race on Sunday if their car is any good. This could be great fun for the fans,” added Alonso.

Source: YallaF1

Alonso: Vettel still slightly below the level of Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is better than Sebastian Vettel, is the sensational claim of Hamilton’s former nemesis and McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.

Like Ferrari driver Alonso, Vettel is now a back-to-back world champion, while Briton Hamilton’s only title was won in 2008.

But Spaniard Alonso thinks Hamilton is better than the Red Bull star.

“Lewis is so fast, aggressive, totally focused. He is interested only in victory. Sebastian has not quite reached that level,” he told Germany’s Sport Bild.

“I know he is a two time world champion, but he is still slightly below the level of Lewis,” added Alonso.

According to 1996 world champion Damon Hill, however, Hamilton was not focused enough last season.

“Lewis needs to show that he can manage his private life as well as being a professional racing driver,” Hill is quoted by the Sun.

“He will be the first to admit that he had some distractions last season and we will see if he can address those.”

Source: YallaF1

Hamilton gears up for new season with garish photoshoot

Lewis Hamilton admitted he was looking forward to seeing the back of 2011 after enduring the worst season of his Formula One career.

But judging by these set of pictures, the McLaren star has made a somewhat precarious start to the New Year.





Hamilton, who has reportedly been busy recording an R&B album during the off-season, modelled a number of garish outfits for the February edition of American GQ.

The 27-year-old fell short in his bid to stop Sebastian Vettel winning back-to-back world titles last season.
And judging by the length of his trousers in this photoshoot that theme is set to continue into 2012.

Apparently Hamilton is sporting the 'layering trend' – a look, we're told, that's set to take the fashion world by storm this year.
'I love it in the States,' Hamilton is quoted as saying in the American magazine.

'The roads are big, the food is big. If it was possible to be in L.A. and still live my racing life, I would move now.'

After these set of snaps, Lewis you may have left yourself little option...

Source: DailyMail

Wrooom 2012 gets underway

Madonna di Campiglio, 9 January –The 22nd running of Wrooom, the Press Ski Meeting organised by Philip Morris International gets underway this evening at the Salone Hofer in Madonna di Campiglio, signaling the imminent arrival of a new season for Formula 1 and MotoGP.

Tonight sees the traditional welcome dinner, featuring members of Scuderia Ferrari and their two-wheeled colleagues from the Ducati team. Also in attendance will be the Maranello team drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, the Spaniard making his third visit to this event dating back to 2010, while the Brazilian is now a veteran on the snow covered peaks of Campiglio. Awaiting everyone is a week of spectacle, sport and meetings with the international media, all set against the background of the Dolomites.

Friday is the day for ice racing on the lake, when Giancarlo Fisichella and Marc Gene will also attend. Journalists from around eighty different media from a dozen countries are expected, with interview sessions for the Ferrari men getting underway on Wednesday morning, when Team Principal Stefano Domenicali will be under the spotlight, while on Thursday it will be Alonso and Massa’s turn.

Source: Ferrari.com

Räikkönen has full bust-up in training

F1-immigrant Kimi Räikkönen can once again train with full steam. On Sunday it was precisely 10 weeks before the opening GP in Australia 2012.

On Saturday again it was 4 weeks when the new Lotus-driver hurt his left wrist after falling with the snowmobile in a show in Austria. They protected the hand with a spatula until the new year.

– Because of the hurting wrist we had to change plans a little, but in practice we have been able to keep a short training program of one and a half day all the time, Räikkönen's fysio Mark Arnall explains.

– All work on neck and legs have been fully taken care of - just as the endurance-side also. We have progressed in a very positive manner and Kimi is in a good stitch, Arnall assures.

It doesn't take long to get used to driving

Räikkönen was in Lotus-Renault factory in Enstone on Thursday for a seat-fitting.

– First it was a bit weird to sit in a F1-*** No swearing *** with the helmet on after a long time. However I got used to it quickly and it has felt the same before too when being in a seat-fitting for a new car, Räikkönen confessed.

The new car will be on the testing track on 7th of February in Jerez, but before that Räikkönen will get used to F1-driving by driving a Renault from year 2010 for two days during January 23-24th on Ricardo Tormo -track in Valencia.

Räikkönen has often before started his winter testing after a few months winter vacation. Now he has had a break of two years and three months.

– I think I will get used to driving itself after 10-15 laps but there's more to learn about everything else, Räikkönen thinks.

Räikkönen gets to try this year's new Pirelli-tyres only after the winter testing has begun - meaning he will be on the same line as all the other racing drivers.

Neck strong only by driving

Arnall has taken care of Räikkönen's training programs and wellbeing for ten years already, which is a record-long period of time in today's F1-racing.

– We already know from before that we can do everything else except strenghten the neck muscles. They will strenghten to the level required only by driving a F1-car, Arnell emphasizes.

Räikkönen has has for a several years in his home in Switzerland a driving vehicle built by Technogym, a vehicle that is as close to F1-driving as possible.

– There the driver gets in the right driving position and the muscles are strained the same way as if he would drive on the track. Only neck muscles can't be strenghtened as much as with a real F1-car because of the lacking G-forces, Arnall said.

Räikkönen has eight days before Australia's opening GP. After Valencia's private testing he will drive the first two days with the new car in Jerez and then four days later in Barcelona, where they divide driving tasks with French team mate Romain Grosjean.

If there are no technical problems then he can drive 3500-4000 kilometers in eight days.

– Eight days isn't much but that's what everybody else also gets. It sort of helps Kimi in a way that the track in Albert Park isn't one of the most toughest one. This way he will get three more driving days to strenghten his neck for places that are physically more demanding, Arnall thinks.
Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Hamilton confident of stronger 2012

Lewis Hamilton hopes to take the fight to Red Bull during the 2012 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton says he is confident of a stronger showing from his McLaren team during the 2012 F1 season as the Briton looks to take the fight to Red Bull and defending champion Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton endured a difficult 2011 campaign as, despite three victories, he was unable to challenge for the championship crown and suffered a series of set-backs both on and off track over the course of the campaign.

Having suffered a raft of problems with the MP4-26 prior to the start of 2011, McLaren will now hope there is no repeat when the new MP4-27 hits the track for the first time in pre-season testing next month – with Hamilton confident it can be the car to take the fight to Red Bull.

"It will be up to us to be able to surpass it [the new Red Bull]," he told Gazzetta dello Sport "From what I've seen, however, the new McLaren seems a lot better than last year's.

"Basically, the Red Bull is an evolution of the aerodynamic concepts introduced in 2009. Midway through 2011 it was phenomenal, it was at the highest level and on top of that it almost never broke down. By contrast, when we had the same reliability, we lacked the same performance."

Hamilton added that he was keen to try and hit the ground running when the new season gets underway in Melbourne to ensure that he doesn't find himself playing catch-up in the title race.

"During the winter you always dream of arriving at the start of the season with a car that goes quick immediately," he said. "This hasn't happened in the last two seasons. I want it to happen this year. If we start well, we'll stay at the top more easily."

Source: Crash.net

KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN: “IT WILL BE NICE TO GET TO RACING"

We have received many questions from fans for Kimi today; we managed to grab him to answer a few of them. We will invite you to send us more questions next time he’s with us!

Kimi, today marked the first time you have been back in the cockpit of a Formula 1 car since 2009. How did it feel?
The last time I was at Enstone I quickly jumped into a seat, but this is indeed the first time I have properly sat in an F1 car with a helmet on since the last race of 2009. It felt a bit odd at first because the cockpit seems a bit small, but that’s normal. It’s just like in the past when I have done seat fittings – it feels a bit strange when you first step into the car but you quickly adjust. It will be nice to get back to racing.

How important is the seat fitting?
It is one of the most important jobs. You spend so much time sitting in the car so the position is really crucial, it needs to be 100% right. I’d rather spend a lot of time getting it right at this time of the year because there are many races in the season and you sit behind the wheel a lot. Getting it right the first time is imperative.

Were you surprised by all the interest your comeback has generated these past few weeks?
There has been quite a bit of noise in the press about my comeback and there have been a lot of rumours. For me, coming back to Formula 1 is a good thing and I hope it will be for the team and the fans also! I love this time of the year at the factory. There’s a real buzz surrounding the new car, every single department is working flat out in order to have everything ready on time. You can really feel people’s dedication and it’s nice to be a part of it.

There have been a lot of comments about your comeback… sometimes really positive and other times a bit more negative
It has no effect on me – sometimes you hear some nonsense and sometimes you hear nice things. The main thing is that coming back is what I wanted and I have a good opportunity with the team so I’m happy. I have never really looked at what people say or think. I do my own thing and as long as I’m happy with it then that’s the main thing for me.

Source: LotusRenaultGP

Photos: Kimi back behind the wheel

“I have not sat in an F1 car since the last race of the 2009 season” smiled Kimi, as he jumped into the cockpit for his first seat fitting at Enstone today. The Finn was with us all day and, despite a heavy technical programme, took time to answer his fans’ questions.





Source: LotusRenaultGP

Lewis Hamilton records secret R&B album

Lewis Hamilton doesn't spend his free time watching Top Gear or playing Out Run

He's been secretly renting a top west London studio to record R&B tracks.

The McLaren F1 star is a huge music fan and wanted the opportunity to lay down some of his own material using state-of-the-art facilities — which have also been used by superstars including Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue.

But sadly we won't be hearing any of his singing. It's just for his own pleasure.

A source said: "Not many people know Lewis has been making music in his spare time.

"He's really into his R&B and has been cutting lots of songs that fit in with his taste. At the moment he's fully focused on F1 so it's unlikely any of the tracks will be made public.

"But he's had good feedback from the few people who have heard them."

Lewis has been renting the whole complex to ensure he's not spotted by anyone.

It costs a few bob but the millionaire former world champion is hardly short of cash.

It's a shame he doesn't fancy handing out some of his CDs to radio stations, or even posting tracks online.


He wouldn't be the first F1 driver to try pop stardom.

Another former world champion, Jacques Villeneuve released an album in 2007 called Private Paradise.

Naturally it bombed — but that shouldn't put Lewis off.

Other sportsmen at the top of their game have had more success in the music biz. Boxer Manny Pacquiao released a cover of ballad Sometimes When We Touch, which got to No19 in the US Billboard Charts this year.

And who could forget Paul Gasgoigne's collaboration with Lindisfarne in 1990, when Fog On The Tyne reached No2 in the UK charts?

If a pop career isn't for Lewis, at least he will have plenty of driving music to listen to when he's bombing around the track.

It'll make a nice change from listening to The Chain by Fleetwood Mac on repeat for 60-odd laps.
Source: The Sun

Happy Birthday Michael Schumacher!

On 3 December 1969 Michael Schumacher was born in Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and today he celebrates his 43rd anniversary.

Schumacher is the oldest driver currently racing in Formula 1, having started racing karts at the age of six. Since then he has etched his name in the history of motorsport by breaking just about every F1 record on his way to claiming seven world titles, 91 wins, 154 podiums out of 287 starts.

Schumacher spent 2007 to 2009 in ‘retirement’ before accepting a deal to return to the F1 scene with Mercedes GP who he has raced for since and will do in 2012 and perhaps even in 2013.

Source: YallaF1

Vettel and Pärmäkoski will part as best friends

Tommi Pärmäkoski became Sebastian Vettel's trainer in October 2008. Back then he was a 21-year old GP-winner driving in Toro Rosso - but the media hadn't yet squashed the guy who had the face of a child.

– Sebastian became known by everyone during his first Red Bull-season when he won several races and came in 2nd in the driver's serie, Pärmäkoski remembers.

After that he has had takers like an unmarried man in the ladies dance.

Vettel and Pärmäkoski had time to conquer the F1-world thoroughly. During three Red Bull -seasons he got two WDCs after 55 races, one silver, 20 victories, 35 podiums, 29 pole positions, 40 starts in the front row, 9 fastest laps and the incredible amount of 732 WC-points.

Next season Vettel starts with a new trainer because Pärmäkoski starts working for Finland's icehockey union's management team, where he will start coaching the girls national league on January 1st in Kuortane.

Now is a good time to reflect on this seamless duo's time together.

What does Pärmäkoski remember from his first meeting with Vettel?

– I probably remember the meeting forever. Sebastian flew to Finland in autumn, he was just so natural and normal when he came to me to shake hands. We chatted for a moment and got to know each other a little. I got immediately an image of a really friendly and kind guy.

– That kindness is really genuine although Sebastian can have almost a killer-nature on the track again.

Pärmäkoski praises that he will probably never face a sportsman who is as determined and top-talented.

– Sebastian is in no way any German machine. The level of his motivation and committment is massively high. First and most it's the hunger with which he does everything, it's totally 100 %. And if something we do doesn't immediately go the best way, then he does it for as long until he has learned it. He demands to get that opportunity again and if he fails again then he just tries again. He has an exceptional competitive urge, Pärmäkoski said.

He will remember forever the thanking in Suzuka

The Finnish trainer got the most touching thanks in a live tv-program after Vettel had sealed his title in Suzuka.

– There are so many I want to thank. However I will take up one name, which has been really important to me during the whole year. I spend most of my time with my trainer Tommi Pärmäkoski. Thanks to him and to his family in Finland. They have a great son who has a good heart. Tommi has all the time kept my thoughts away from all that is irrelevant and he hasn't let me float after good results, Vettel said.

– I didn't hear it live but it didn't take long before someone already came to tell me what the dude had said. Of course it was a special thing for me and my family. It was Sebastian's way of thanking but then again as a gesture it was even greater. It would have been enough if he had said 'thank you' to me in private, Pärmäkoski reminded.

– My part was a tiny miny part in a huge puzzle. F1 is a group sport where you need a good car designer, a good mechanic who can tune it and a good engineer who can put things going in the right direction. When all pieces fall in place it's up to the driver how he succeeds. Hence all credit for the WDC has to be given to Sebastian himself.

Then how does the ex-trainer see his protegé's continuance?

– Of course one has to hope that the development still goes forward in the same positive way. Hopefully Sebastian will never be really ready and has hunger to continue on the path he has chosen.

– At least Sebastian knows now what it took to get to the top and which kind of pieces it really requires. It's up to himself to do it again and again - to each year be just a little bit better and go forward once again.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Vettel challenges Räikkönen in badminton

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

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

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

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

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

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen gets a big window in Lotus' development work

The new year has begun - and I'm sure Kimi Räikkönen who is coming back to F1-circles feels his withdrawal symptoms get less and the challenges piling up in the familiar Grand Prix -stars' style.

Lotus-Renault's team manager Eric Boullier summarized last season's downhill telling that the biggest reason was top driver Robert Kubica's injury in a rally accident in the middle of winter testing.

They saw in Renault how big the impact of a leading driver like Kubica was when the team lacked a mentally top tough doer like him who was irreplacable with his commitment. They badly needed Kubica's experience and attitude in R31-car's development work.

It's not difficult to make the conclusion that last season's experiences had a substantial influence when the team owner Gerard Lopez and team manager Boullier sealed so quickly the deal with Räikkönen.

Räikkönen's negotiations with Williams toppled and the Finn turned to Renault before the GP-weekend in Abu Dhabi. The contract was published three weeks later.

– Kimi is a world champion and they expect him to take the team forward with his own input and by the challenge of young Romain Grosjean, Steve Robertson said.

The ability to strike was maintained during season 2010

In 2010 season's second race in Australia Kubica came in 2nd and he was 3rd in Belgium and 5th in Abu Dhabi.

Last season Vitali Petrov and Nick Heidfeld snatched podium positions in the season's two first races but after that came a steep fall and for the rest of the season Renault was then racing with Lotus who had no points.

If the design department in Enstone factory led by manager James Allison will once again bring a competitive car on the track, then it's on Räikkönen's shoulders to see that the development work goes more positively than it did last season. If the car is slow, then even Midas couldn't turn it's competitiveness into gold.

Räikkönen is ouzing enthusiasm for work. According to himself his motivations is higher than ever before.

– I am happy when an opportunity like this happened. Kimi really wanted to come back. When you are away for a while you notice how much you miss back. Kimi still has a lot to give to this sport, Robertson says.

Räikkönen's WDC is from year 2007. His latest victory is from Belgium in 2009. Next season they will have three tracks - Korea, India and Austin - where Kimi has never drove. Mostly he needs to get used to Pirelli's tyres which are completely different from those Michelins and Bridgestones he knows most about.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Luca: I wouldn't swap Alonso for anyone

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has lavished praise on Sebastian Vettel, but insists he wouldn't swap Fernando Alonso for anyone else

Vettel is the hottest property on the Formula One grid after becoming the sport's youngest back-to-back World Champion this year. This year he claimed 15 pole positions and 11 race victories as he blew his competitors away.

Despite being impressed by Vettel's pace and intelligence, the Ferrari boss feels Spaniard Alonso is the "strongest driver around".

"He's [Vettel] a smart lad. I like how he behaves, and if I have to chose between drivers with equal skill I'll always take the one with the better head," Di Montezemolo is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport

"However, today I wouldn't trade Alonso for anyone, because in a race he's the strongest driver around."

Di Montezemolo was also praised McLaren's Jenson Button, saying he "had an exceptional season and with [Lewis] Hamilton was part of the strongest partnership of the season." He was also impressed by Mercedes' Nico Rosberg "who had two good seasons despite having a car that wasn't very competitive" and Vettel's Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber "who has always done his job".

Source: Planet-F1

Berger is surprised if Kimi's selfcontrol and ambition falls in place

Gerhard Berger told in Austrian ORF-television channel's interview that he thinks Räikkönen's comeback is 50 % possible.

According to Berger Räikkönen is a nice fellow who will bring more color to the F1-serie. However it requires hard work in order to make it successful.

- He should surely reduce his vodka-drinking. Of course he announces himself that he will give his everything but I would be surprised if his selfcontrol and ambition would fall in place. F1 is hard work and we will see if he has the will for it, Berger commented to ORF.

At the same time Berger emphasized that he hopes Räikkönen's comeback would succeed.

Source: autotoday.fi
Courtesy: Nicole

Formule1’s magazine: KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN’S COMEBACK

THE SECOND ICETIME
(Written by Ronald van Dam)

Another ex-worldchampion returns to Formula 1. After 2 years of hobbying in the WRC, Kimi realized he missed wheel-to wheel racing, and so Kimi’s sacret fire came back.

When Kimi Räikkönen closed the formula 1 door after 2009, it didn’t seem for any moment he would ever come back to the top class of circuitracing. His third season with Ferrari went laborious.
The Flying finn only scored 1 victory, 4 podium places, a anonymous 12th position in his last race and a even so laborious 6th place in the world championship.
The only victory in Spa was certainly a good one.
For Ferrari, appearently it wasn’t enough. They hired Fernando Alonso. Not Felipe Massa, but Kimi Raikkonen had to give room to Alonso.
‘’Only when I get a top seat, I’ll stay in F1’’, That’s what Kimi said, realizing that all of those places were occupied. However, he was already done with all the obligations of being a F1 driver.
Raikkonen obviously has never been a lover of press conferences, interviews with journalists, sponsor activities and all the other things he had to do.
This writer knows it. In 2004 i got the rare chance to talk to this guy who’s called ‘’The Iceman’’ after many requests. The man with almost the childish voice…
His nickname doesn’t only fit his coolness behind the wheel, but also on the icy silence in his conversations. A British colleague wished me luck. ‘’Do you know Chief, the Indian from the movie One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest?’’, he asked. ‘’He talks more than Kimi, and he couldn’t even talk.’’
Räikkönen was at that time doing his 4th season of his career, the third with McLaren, and in that year, the Mercedes engines died in droves. At the moment of the interview his 4th engine just broke down. Add to this that an Italian journalist in our company, who bragged about the reliability of the Ferrari and Michael Schumacher’s winning streak, spiced up things. As you’ll understand, this would become a laborious interview. First question: How would you describe you season so far, Kimi?
Kimi’s answer:’’difficult’’.
That’s the way it went for at least 10 minutes. 10 minutes, wherein the McLaren driver looked a few times just a little too emphatically on his watch. McLaren’s PR-lady saved us from our suffering.
Räikkönen was in a hurry to get to his fiancee Jenni Dahlman, a former miss Scandinavia with who he’s still been married these days, and his managers David and Steve Robertson. The Finn nodded with a villainous smile in our direction.
Yet again 2 journalists with an illusion less.

NO STRESS

So cool and unfathomable as he seems to be in public, so passionated becomes the iceman behind the wheel from a proper racing car. He becomes another human. It was so already when he was driving the Formula Renault in England. In the winterseries of that class he won in 1999 the first four races in a row and in 2000 he captured his first championship title in the British Formula Renault championship, by winning 7 of the 10 races. In total he grabbed thirteen wins in 23 races, a winning percentage of 56%!
In that period the talented Finn was accompanied by the Dutch ex-driver Gerrit van Kouwen, who was one of the first persons who could be planing the rough diamant.
In 2004 Van Kouwen told before a reporage in this magazine this about Raikkonen: ‘’Brands hatch was Kimi’s first time in a semifactory-Formula Renault car which was prepared for him. On my question to Kimi, if we should change something between the distance to the wheel and the pedals, Kimi only said: ‘’It’s okay’’.
In his first run his best lap he was only .2 seconds off the pace from a real factory car from Van Diemen. Unbelievable!
In his first test at Mugello we had to be on the track at half past 8 in the moring. I wanted to leave early but Kimi said to me: ‘’Wake me up at 10 past 8’’.
Everybody was fussing about his first Formula 1 test, except Kimi himself. He jumped in the car and drove immediately drove a world class time.
The second test day Peter Sauber came to the track, to watch Kimi. Peter first tough about a testing contract, but the Robertsons said: ‘’No, no testing contract. Give him a seat. He’s ready for it.’’
Before that conscious article I spoke to Kimi’s manager Steve Robertson. He described Kimi’s talent this way: ‘’My reason to work with Kimi is his unbelievable judgment that he has already since the start of his career, and his flair in the car. There’s a difference between good and really good, but where I was at the first category, Kimi was a class of his own, another league.’’
The rest is history. With a preliminary superlicense to drive a F1 car (Max Mosley first wanted to see it before he wanted to believe in Kimi) Kimi scored as 21 year old rookie in his first ever GP a point scoring 6th place and immediately a WDC point.
Formula 1 was introduced to an amazing talent. McLaren thanked Sauber warmly for his talent spotting and took the young Finn at the eind of the 2001 season. Raikkonen drove 5 seasons for McLaren wherein hescored 9 GP wins, and the vice championship behind Schumacher in 2003 and 2005.

PARTY ANIMAL

Schumacher temporary retirement made room at Ferrari for Kimi to go there. Ron Dennis probably did not shed a tear because of it. Kimi became a party animal from the most purest type.
As big earner he didn’t have to watch his money. Legendary was his visit to the London’s stripclub, wherein Kimi probably tought the ladies where still dressed too much. Raikkonen decided to make a strip-act himself, but the bouncers didn’t feel much for it and did their jobs. A nice set-off that Steve Robertson wanted to sketch. ‘’Kimi is a quiet boy, who like to sit on the sofa and watch a dvd with Jenni. He doesn’t like to get out, he prefers something which will be delivered instead of going to an expensive restaurant. Actually, Kimi is a homester.’’
Kimi’s transition to Ferrari was a golden move. In his first season was an immediate hit, ironically enough because of his successors at McLaren didn’t want to give each other anything, creaming off points from each other which were much needed. By winning 2007’s last GP in Sao Paulo, Kimi captured the world championship, just 1 point in front of Alonso and Hamilton, mission accomplished.
The following 2 years were laborious, Raikkonen was a wdc, he had nothing to prove. At Ferrari they were flirting with Alonso, back then, a Renault driver again. The Finn however sometimes won a race (Malaysia and Spain) in 2008 and (Spa) in 2009, but the sacret fire was gone, Ferrari’s non winning cars were part of it.
When the Scuderia before the 2010 season, as expected, presented Fernando Alonso, there was no room for the world champion from 2007 left. Kimi didn’t seem to have much desire to race against the Spaniard. He had already shown what he was capable of. Just like Felipe Massa, Kimi had a continuous contract with Ferrari, but Massa could stay and Kimi was ‘’kindly thanked’’ for his services. After this happend, Kimi became the best paid driver without F1 seat. Ferrari had an annual salary for him to leave. ‘’Thanks for all the support for 3 years at SF,’’ he tweeted at the 1st October of 2009, thereafter it became quiet around the finn.

INSIGHT

Away from the press, in the rest of his pre-retirement, Kimi chose to do things which he liked. He did 2 seasons in the WRC. 2 seasons with a Citroen, 1 season with his own team. With his point scoring 8th place in Jordania, Kimi became the first driver after Carlos Reutemann who scored points in both F1 and WRC. Obviously fun in the rallying world, grabbed some points, but never got exceptional results. His last WRC outing ended with a 3rd consecutive retirement. Thereafter, Kimi probably tought, I’m done.
His NASCAR outing in the States can’t be seen as a serious career step as well. In his last NASCAR race at 28/05/2011 Kimi finished in 27th, with parts from others underneath his car and a fine for speeding in the pitlane in his pocket.
His NASCAR adventure didn’t give him any prize money, but gave him one inportant insight.
‘’I missed the wheel-to-wheel racing on track, which is actually more fun than driving against a ticking clock, as in the WRC.’’ Kimi just wanted relax and have wheel-to-wheel fights.
And so ended a tweet silence of 2 years on Tuesday the 29th November of 2011: ‘’Hello everybody, it has been some time, but i am back! Expect more from here in the future.
He just signed a two-year deal with Lotus-Reanult, which will be called Lotus next year and he handled the news as the typical Raikkonen: ‘’I got a telephone call from certain people in the F1. We got a deal, and i’m very happy with it.
In a press release of Lotus-Renault, Kimi said he is more motivated then ever. It won’t be a problem according to Kimi. ‘’Otherwise, i wouldn’t have come back. Everybody always talk about my motivation, but apart from myself i know what i do and i don’t care what others think of my way of doing this. I wouldn’t have signed a contract if i wouldn’t enjoy those years. I never lost passion for F1, but i never had passion from all the things around F1’’. Ohyeah, still just as talkative.


Gerrit van Kouwen
(accompanied Kimi in his Formula Ford years)

‘’I like Kimi’s comeback, because I haven’t seen many races the past few years. With the announcement of Kimi’s comeback, I’ll go and visit a race every now and then, I think. Whether It’s wise to comeback? What’s wise? It’s just like Schumacher, it Kimi will enjoy himself, why not?
After two years of rallying it probably became itchy again for Kimi. I also think that Kimi found out you have to work very very hard to get in the top at the WRC. I don’t know if he was committed enough. It’s not just driving a stage with a few pacenotes: there’s a hell of a lot more to do. Don’t forget you’ll drive against guys who’ve done this all their life.
When you look at pure talent, Kimi is unbeatable. He is ‘’naturally gifted’’, as the English people would say. You’ll notice it when you’re sitting next to him in a car on a public road. As smooth as he drives, his assessment skills… Much will depend on his car, and if Lotus is developing well. How he gets along with the tyres. Kimi like an oversteering car. A car which is pointy, which turns in aggressively. Actually when you turn in, the turn has been made already. Schumacher likes that too, but had troubles with those tyres.’’

Olav Mol
(saw as F1 commentator all 157 races from Räikkönen)

‘’I’d like to see the racer Kimi Räikkönen back. He is one of the guys we’re watching F1 for, if only because we are freed from the Senna’s and Petrov’s in this world.
If it’s gonna be a success? Well, when he gets fun doing it, it can become pretty good fun. The question is what Lotus told him. They say they know in 2 years where they are, and Renault isn’t the winning Renault anymore. There are rumors Kimi has purchased something with Raikkonen-Robertson racing, maybe to give young talents the opportunity to drive. That sounds logic to me. At least Lotus has got a driver who can develop a car, because Heidfeld, Petrov and Senna couldn’t.
There are in the recent past some guys who made a comeback in different racing classes. There was 10 years between his last race and his comeback in Jan Lammers case, the biggest gap ever. While Jacques Villeneuve’s comeback wasn’t a success, Nigel Mansell found out his fat ass didn’t fit in the car anymore. In Michael Schumacher’s case, there’s not much to cheer for.
But Kimi is one of the top class drivers, just like Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton. They’ve got the word racing in their pants tattooed. He misses the F1, he says. He hasn’t got anything to prove anymore. The expectations are not too high and maybe because of that, it’s the perfect moment to come back. Financially he’s completely independent, that’s why you can do crazy things on that age, you’ll get drunk in strip clubs. But he’s older now and has left those things behind him.
Boys like Kimi and Schumacher think F1 is the best there is, something faster on 4 wheels, you can’t find in this world.’’

Formule1.nl magazine, January 2012

RONALD VAN DAM

Courtesy: Andreas

Hamilton: I just want bacon sarnie for Xmas

When you sit down for Christmas lunch this year, spare a thought for Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton

While you will be tucking into roast turkey and Christmas pud, he will be staring at a plate of brown rice and beans — and not enjoying it one bit.

In an exclusive SunSport interview, Hamilton revealed just how determined he is to make every sacrifice in his quest to rule the Formula One world again.

He said: "I'm so strict — even on Christmas Day I stick to my diet.

"It's a protein shake for breakfast, with a few dates and some raisins — it's horrible, it really is horrible but I just blend it up into a smoothie.

"I sit at the table and I see everyone else having the biggest pile of pancakes, waffles and eggs and bacon and I'm just dying — it's like a punishment for me.

"If I could eat any food I wanted it would be a bacon sandwich, but I know I cannot.

"Lunch would be beans in a sauce with brown rice and then I might have fish or chicken for dinner."

That is the level of determination both Hamilton, 26, and his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button show in their determination to be in peak physical condition for the huge demands of Formula One.

For both drivers, there is a constant battle between trying to keep their weight low and their strength high.

Button, who is 6ft tall yet weighs just 11st, said: "The team want me to be lighter than I actually should be — basically, I don't eat carbohydrates, unless I'm training hard.

"In the morning, I just have protein, which means breakfast is pretty much eggs every morning.

"I was quite heavy last winter so I went to see a specialist training company and told them I needed to lose weight, but without losing strength.

"They gave me this diet, which initially shocked me. Basically, it's eggs and steak for breakfast, but no carbohydrates.

"I could only eat carbs for one meal, stuff like brown rice or sweet potato. I lost four per cent of body fat in three weeks and I have not put it back on."

Every Formula One team is desperate for its drivers to be as light as possible.

Car and driver together have to be a minimum weight of 640kg, so the less the driver weighs, the more technical gizmos can be put on the car.

McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale said: "The team wanted to change the drivers' race suits during the season and add an extra logo.

"That would have added 37 grammes to the weight and I had a heated argument about it. We want the drivers to be as light as they can be, because that gives us more leeway with what we can put on the car."

Both Hamilton and Button, 31, adopt strict training regimes through the winter.

And they are designed to achieve that perfect balance of weight and strength for the start of the season in Melbourne on March 18.

Hamilton, world champion in 2008, will spend most of the winter in Colorado with his close family friend and personal trainer Antti Vierula, while Button will be in Hawaii with girlfriend Jessica Michibata and personal trainer Mike Collier.

Hamilton said: "A typical pre-season training day for me will be in the mountains.

"We'll either do 4½ hours hiking up the mountain and then we run down it — and that's through deep snow.

"It's very hard work — or we'll go cross-country skiing. We come back, have lunch, rest for an hour and then head into the gym, where we do a lot of core stability work and weightlifting.

"In the evenings, we'll go to the pool and swim laps, which is more for cooling down.

"Then we'll do some really good stretching, more like pilates, and by 8-8.30pm I'm dead. And that's how it is six days a week."

Button, who won the world crown in 2009, is a seriously good triathlete, who harbours ambitions to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in his age group.

To be an Ironman, you have to swim 2.4 miles, bike another 112 miles — and then run a marathon.

Button admits he hated training when he first broke into Formula One, but he now loves the tough cycling, swimming and running routines he and his trainers have developed.

He said: "To be honest, my regime is more of a training programme for a triathlon. The first day I arrive in Hawaii, I'm doing a marathon with some friends who want to go under four hours.



"That is pretty brutal, especially as I've never done a marathon before.

"I'll do a lot of cycling, swimming and running over the winter and then I do some specific work on core stability, especially on my neck and more muscle work.

"My aim is to get to the Hawaii World Championship.

"I don't want to get invited, I want to qualify in my age group and that's bloody hard.

"I've got to do nine hours, 12 minutes to qualify and that's bloody hard. The pros are doing eight hours, so to do 9hrs 12mins is hard but you've got to have an aim."

The attention to detail at McLaren is truly astonishing. An army of people in the team's Human Performance Centre are on hand to monitor not only the drivers' fitness but the fitness of every member of the pit crew.

New team sponsors Lucozade are even developing special drinks for both McLaren drivers to use during races to help combat the crippling effects of dehydration.

Button added: "The hydration is so important, "It's all about making sure you get the right fluids, minerals and salts in your system for the race — that's what keeps you alive."

Both McLaren drivers know they have a mountain to climb next season as they bid to challenge the might of the all-conquering Red Bulls and Sebastian Vettel.

But if the battle comes down to fitness alone, they will not be found wanting

Source: The Sun

KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN: “I CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL”

Kimi, it has been three weeks since you were confirmed as a Lotus Renault GP driver for the 2012 season. How have you found the reaction to your F1 return?
KR: I have been surprised at how big the reaction has been so I guess people must have missed me!

What has been the best moment so far?
KR: Sebastian Vettel’s impersonation of me at the Autosport awards! No, seriously, my two visits to Enstone have been great. The first one, at the team’s Christmas party, made me realise how much support I have there. The second one, last week, allowed me to understand that this team has not been world champion by coincidence. I also saw all the investments they have made recently: new simulator building, CFD upgrade, 60% wind tunnel… It gives me a lot of confidence for the season ahead.

How difficult do you think you will find it coming back?
KR: Let’s put it this way: before my two years of rallying I had nine seasons, 157 races and 18 wins in Formula 1. I know the sport well. When I went to rallying and when I tried NASCAR, there were many new things to learn, but with Formula 1 I feel like I’m coming home. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel.

Do you think it will take you long to get back up to speed?
KR: I hope not! I am more motivated than ever and I don’t think I’ve lost any speed. Getting on top of the tyres will be the hardest thing, of course, but I’m not really worried. Although the technical regulations don’t seem to change much, they apply to a lot of areas and quite a few elements will have to be re-designed. As a result, the cars will be significantly different next year. The order could be shaken up, which will make things very interesting.

What is your schedule in the build-up to testing?
KR: We don’t test the new car until February so it’s a long wait. However, I should be able to jump into a two-year-old F1 car in January. Of course, there will be the usual training, but I will also be working on getting to know the team better and making sure I fully understand all the changes since I have been away.

What are your targets for pre-season testing?
KR: Finding out if we have a fast car! For me, learning how the team works will be another important aspect. Learning Pirelli’s tyres will be the most important job, as it’s a different approach from what I experienced before.

What are your plans over the Christmas break? Have you got anything special arranged?
KR: I am doing a lot of training. The most important area for me is to get my neck strong enough again, especially as it will be put through its paces in testing. Of course, I will also be celebrating Christmas with my family.

Any more snowmobile races planned?
KR: I was surprised by how much attention there was over me falling off a snowmobile. You can watch what happened on YouTube and it was probably the smallest and slowest crash I’ve ever had. It is almost embarrassing! I won a snowmobile race right before the start of the 2007 season and that year didn’t go badly for me so who knows?

Source: LotusRenaultGP