Showing posts with label Kimi Raikkonen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kimi Raikkonen. Show all posts
Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2008 by Maka Asatiani
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The Italian press believes Ferrari is set to dominate the 2008 season. Despite officials for the Maranello based team's rivals McLaren and BMW playing down the gap following Ferrari's second consecutive one-two victory on Sunday, the sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that the "dominance" of the scarlet F2008 at Barcelona was "impressive"."Not a single mistake was committed," - Gazzetta added. "McLaren and BMW are far away. After Spain, the 2008 world championship could be over."
Corriere dello Sport said of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen: "The Finn is objectively the only true candidate for the title. As in the past, this championship could become 'formula boredom'."
The Turin-based national newspaper Tuttosport added: "Raikkonen and Massa conquered Spain and demonstrated Ferrari's absolute power.The advantage over their rivals is almost embarrassing, even though Stefano Domenicali has called for restraint. Raikkonen had the race totally under control, and Massa actively supported him. This is his role, even if he does not want to admit it."
Rome-newspaper Il Messaggero wrote: "The Ferrari conductors are trying to curb the enthusiasm, but it is obvious that Ferrari's lead over McLaren and BMW is great."
And now BMW-Sauber, and probably other formula one teams, will shortly experiment with the new 'nose hole' innovation that featured on the dominant Ferrari cars in last weekend's Spanish grand prix.
Although Maranello based Ferrari insists that the
shark mouth-style feature in front of the driver position may not be used at every race this season, BMW technical director Willy Rampf confirmed that a similar concept will be trialled in the team's Hinwil wind tunnel in the coming days.
"I am almost certain that it would also work on some of the other cars so we will have a look," -Rampf is quoted as saying by Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell publication.
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Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008 by George S.
Today Räikkönen demonstrated a virtually flawless driving. His car looked extremely stable and highly competitive. His finishing 19.5 seconds ahead Robert Kubica talks a lot.It's a pity that Felipe Massa was not able to finish the race. Moreover, the Brazilian driver was quite ahead of BMW's Kubica when Massa made a mistake, which cost the Brazilian to retire from the race altogether. If not this unfortunate fact, the race would have been perfect for Ferrari. But, nothing is perfect in this world and I only hope that Ferrari will improve from the race to the race.
Getting back to Kubica, the young driver has demonstrated the great skill of driving. It must also be mentioned that BMW has fantastically improved their cars and I will dare to say that the Formula 1 cars of BMW are on a par with those of Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes. I believe we will see more podiums from the BMW drivers during this season.
Overall, the race was not very successful for the British-German team, but it was not that bad either. After all, Heikki Kovalainen finished on the podium and Hamilton managed to finish 5th. Of course, this is not what the Briton expected and hoped for, but the outcome could have been worse, especially if we take into consideration the poor starting positions of both Kovalainen and Hamilton.
Today was an excellent day for Toyota's Jarno Trulli. Toyota's Italian driver managed to finish the 4th. Despite the attacks from Hamilton by the end of the race, Trulli managed to retain his position. Overall, Toyota has made considerable progress. It looks like that the recent changes in the management of the team are giving results.
Unfortunately, Sebastien Bourdais did not manage to finish the race. If in the opening race the Frenchman dropped out by the end of the race, today Bourdais dropped out right in the opening of the race. I think it will take some more time for the Champ Car guru to get accustomed to the Royal Racing sport.
Photo source: Formula1.com
Labels:
Kimi Raikkonen
Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 by Rezo Melikishvili
FIA president Max Mosley has warned that any Formula One team found guilty of spying in the future can expect to be kicked out of the championship.McLaren were fined £50m and lost all their constructors' championship points after the 2007 spying controversy, but their drivers stayed in the title race.
"Next time, I don't think they would stay in the championship," Mosley said.
"In McLaren's case everybody said 'Oh, $100m'. The alternative was to exclude them. That'd have been more expensive."
Despite their team's punishment, McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were allowed to stay in the 2007 drivers' championship, finishing second and third respectively behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
Mosley warned teams that no repeat of the spying scandal would be tolerated next season.
"You can never stop what someone has got in his head, but we can stop the transfer of information in written or electronic form," said Mosley.
"If you are prepared to check, and we have demonstrated that we are, then somebody using such information would be very unwise because in a modern F1 team you cannot do it without leaving traces and we will find those traces."
Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 by George S.
For now we can safely say that Kimi Raikknen is a Formula One 2007 Championship winner.
FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on 15th of November 2007 and the courts ultimate decision is not to change stewards decision. This means that the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix and the 2007 world championship standings remain unchanged.
The full FIA statement is given below (source: Formula1.com)
FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on 15th of November 2007 and the courts ultimate decision is not to change stewards decision. This means that the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix and the 2007 world championship standings remain unchanged.
The full FIA statement is given below (source: Formula1.com)
"The FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on Thursday, November 15,
2007, to examine an appeal lodged by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) on
behalf of its licence-holder Vodafone McLaren Mercedes against the decision
(document 41) of the Panel of the Stewards of the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix
dated 21 October 2007 and counting towards the 2007 FIA Formula One World
Championship.
"Following a report from the Technical Delegate indicating
that the temperature of fuel pumped into the cars N°9 - Nick Heidfeld, N°10 -
Robert Kubica, N°16 - Nico Rosberg and N°17 - Kazuki Nakajima, was more than 10
degrees centigrade below ambient temperature, the Stewards of the Meeting met to
consider whether a penalty should be imposed. Having heard the evidence they
decided not to impose a penalty as they had sufficient doubt as to both the
temperature of the fuel on board the car and to the true ambient temperature.
"Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the
various documents and other evidence, the Court decided that the appeal lodged
by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is inadmissible.
"The International Court
of Appeal was presided over by Mr Jan STOVICEK (Czech Republic), elected
President, and composed of Mr John CASSIDY (United States), Mr Vassilis KOUSSIS
(Greece) and Mr José MACEDO e CUNHA (Portugal).
"The full text of the
International Court of Appeal’s decision is available, on request, from the
secretariat of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris."
Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 by George S.
These were the words that the Ferrari lawyer Nigel Tozzi told a hearing of the governing FIA's independent International Court of Appeal.
Would McLaren have appealed if the two drivers' (Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica) disqualification had not been a title decider? I don't think so. Therefore, McLaren does not care at all whether the fuel in Nico's and Robert's tanks were cool or not.
I have repeated many times that we, Formula One fans, want to see the battle on the race track and not in courtrooms. It's far more interesting to observe a battle between McLaren and Ferrari drivers rather than the battle between their lawyers.
I don't think Hamilton deserves the title. How is he supposed to take the title when for one thing his team has sabotaged Fernando Alonso and now pushes it hard with legal tricks to get the title? Even if the title goes to Hamilton (which in my opinion is very unlikely) it will have worse impact on his future career. Hamilton (as he has once mentioned) is young enough to prove that he can win the title (I do believe he has everything to win it. Maybe next time?). So, McLaren, please leave this dirty game alone.
Would McLaren have appealed if the two drivers' (Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica) disqualification had not been a title decider? I don't think so. Therefore, McLaren does not care at all whether the fuel in Nico's and Robert's tanks were cool or not.
I have repeated many times that we, Formula One fans, want to see the battle on the race track and not in courtrooms. It's far more interesting to observe a battle between McLaren and Ferrari drivers rather than the battle between their lawyers.
I don't think Hamilton deserves the title. How is he supposed to take the title when for one thing his team has sabotaged Fernando Alonso and now pushes it hard with legal tricks to get the title? Even if the title goes to Hamilton (which in my opinion is very unlikely) it will have worse impact on his future career. Hamilton (as he has once mentioned) is young enough to prove that he can win the title (I do believe he has everything to win it. Maybe next time?). So, McLaren, please leave this dirty game alone.
Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 by George S.
Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari's sporting director will be replacing Jean Todt from January 2008. The Frenchman, who was an interim team principal, will be getting back to his primary job as the CEO of the whole company.
Jean Todt has done his job. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is the world champion and the Italian team has won the constructors' championship as well.
Labels:
Ferrari,
Kimi Raikkonen
Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 by George S.
Today the ITV-F1 web site published an interview with Kimi Raikkonen. It looks like that the Finn is finally really happy and smiles all the time. Finally warm blood has started circulating in his veins. Joking of course.I think Kimi is quite emotional person. But I guess he is a master of hiding his emotions.
"These were joyful days with many celebrations" says Kimi. "It seems I can't stop smiling. Wherever I go there are people who congratulate me. It seems that everybody in Italy is as happy as I am!
...not only in Italy Kimi. Ferrari fans all over the world are happy. The season had been extremely intense and Ferrari's and Kimi's chances were pretty slim but I believe all of the fans (including me :) around the world still had hopes. Hopes got stronger after the Chinese GP.
Anyway, this season is over and Kimi is a champion. All of us are looking forward to the 2008th season. Literally I'm counting the remaining days.
Photo source: ITV-F1.com
Labels:
Ferrari,
Kimi Raikkonen
Posted on Saturday, October 27, 2007 by George S.
Formula One 2007 championship season had everything. Scandals, spy case, intense battles on the track and in the court rooms, a rookie doing miracles and an experienced driver making maximum from his slim chances. But the question still remains open: Who won the title?
As of now, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is a winner but there is a chance, at least theoretic, that the title will go to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. The young Briton has declared that he doesn't want a title won as a result of protest. His teammate Alonso has supported the same pathos.
The date for McLaren's appeal has been set. It will be on the 15th of November. If McLaren's protest is satisfied and both Williams and BMW-Sauber get punished, this will automatically push up Lewis Hamilton to the title. In this case I am sure Ferrari will protest the decision and the question who won the 2007th title will remain open for the next few months.
However, I don't believe things will get that far. Max Mosley, president of the FIA said: "For us, the world championship is over, the result is what it is. A team presented an appeal; at the moment, this doesn't change anything - it's up to them to prove they are right."
Thank you Mr. Mosley. The scandals in this season must be over and the sooner they are the better for the sport, drivers, fans and everyone else involved.
As of now, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is a winner but there is a chance, at least theoretic, that the title will go to McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. The young Briton has declared that he doesn't want a title won as a result of protest. His teammate Alonso has supported the same pathos.
The date for McLaren's appeal has been set. It will be on the 15th of November. If McLaren's protest is satisfied and both Williams and BMW-Sauber get punished, this will automatically push up Lewis Hamilton to the title. In this case I am sure Ferrari will protest the decision and the question who won the 2007th title will remain open for the next few months.
However, I don't believe things will get that far. Max Mosley, president of the FIA said: "For us, the world championship is over, the result is what it is. A team presented an appeal; at the moment, this doesn't change anything - it's up to them to prove they are right."
Thank you Mr. Mosley. The scandals in this season must be over and the sooner they are the better for the sport, drivers, fans and everyone else involved.
Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2007 by George S.
Today's showdown race at Interlagos, Brazil has been the best that I have witnessed in my life. I would dare to say that this race has been one of the best for the past two decades. After all, today just a theoretic possibility became reality for Kimi. Ironically, even after he had crossed the finish line, the champion could have changed. But this has not happened.I've been a fan of Ferrari for many years for now and I'm very happy for the team, for Kimi. It was a pleasure to see all of the members of the team doing their best to achieve the goal. Ferrari overdid it.
Alonso was extremely disappointed and this was more than visible at the post race conference. In my opinion, the very unhealthy atmosphere that is in the McLaren-Mercedes team, was the main reason why neither of the McLaren drivers won the title.
Let's hope that the next season will be more fair, without scandals and the only battles that we'll see will happen on the grid and the competition will be healthy and fair too.
Finally, I would like congratulate every Ferrari and Kimi fan with this fantastic event. Kimi and Ferrari, you've really deserved this miracle!
Labels:
Ferrari,
Kimi Raikkonen
Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 by George S.
The ITV-F1.com website published Niki Lauda's interview today. Three-times world champion claims that McLaren should sue Alonso for the damages that the Spanish driver has caused to the team. According to the Austrian driver, Mercedes is losing sales because of Alonso's recent misbehaviour.
I don't think such extreme measures are justified, however it is a fact that there is no healthy atmosphere in the McLaren's headquarters. Blaming either one side (the team) or another (Alonso) won't be correct. Dennis is not an easy man. The same can be said about Alonso. It is a situation when two inherently non-compatible people are in the same team. It is a fact that Dennis is favoring Lewis Hamilton. This has become especially visible after McLaren has been taken away all points in the constructors' battle. Simply, Alonso's "help" is not necessary anymore. Moreover, if Alonso does not get a title, he may do everything to prevent Hamilton from getting the title as well and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen can take advantage and grab the championship title.
It is difficult to argue with Lauda when he criticizes Alonso's attitude and mental state. Alonso's behaviour is totally unacceptable to many people and it's not how gentlemen in Formula 1 must behave. Formula 1 must be a sport of people with high morale and high spirit.
I don't think such extreme measures are justified, however it is a fact that there is no healthy atmosphere in the McLaren's headquarters. Blaming either one side (the team) or another (Alonso) won't be correct. Dennis is not an easy man. The same can be said about Alonso. It is a situation when two inherently non-compatible people are in the same team. It is a fact that Dennis is favoring Lewis Hamilton. This has become especially visible after McLaren has been taken away all points in the constructors' battle. Simply, Alonso's "help" is not necessary anymore. Moreover, if Alonso does not get a title, he may do everything to prevent Hamilton from getting the title as well and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen can take advantage and grab the championship title.
It is difficult to argue with Lauda when he criticizes Alonso's attitude and mental state. Alonso's behaviour is totally unacceptable to many people and it's not how gentlemen in Formula 1 must behave. Formula 1 must be a sport of people with high morale and high spirit.
Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 by George S.
Yesterday, Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa received the title of Champion for Brazilian Children from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The nomination took place during a press conference followed by bicycle the driver took with children and adolescents who live in impoverished communities in São Paulo.
Massa has expressed his opinion that his teammate Kimi Raikkonen needs a miracle to win the Formula One drivers' title at next week's Brazilian Grand Prix. Yes, indeed, Raikkonen's chances are pretty slim. Everything could have been finished right in Shanghai if not Lewis Hamilton's mistake, which dropped the British driver out of the race.
Raikkonen has only arithmetic chance of winning the title. He needs to win the Brazilian Grand Prix and at the same time the McLaren drivers must fail to finish among the leaders. If we take into consideration statistical probability of McLaren failing at the race, then situation is totally hopeless for Raikkonen. But, miracles do happen. All we have to do is to wait and see. One thing is for sure. This season's closing Grand Prix will be one of the most interesting races ever seen in Formula 1.
Massa has expressed his opinion that his teammate Kimi Raikkonen needs a miracle to win the Formula One drivers' title at next week's Brazilian Grand Prix. Yes, indeed, Raikkonen's chances are pretty slim. Everything could have been finished right in Shanghai if not Lewis Hamilton's mistake, which dropped the British driver out of the race.
Raikkonen has only arithmetic chance of winning the title. He needs to win the Brazilian Grand Prix and at the same time the McLaren drivers must fail to finish among the leaders. If we take into consideration statistical probability of McLaren failing at the race, then situation is totally hopeless for Raikkonen. But, miracles do happen. All we have to do is to wait and see. One thing is for sure. This season's closing Grand Prix will be one of the most interesting races ever seen in Formula 1.
Posted on Sunday, July 8, 2007 by George S.
Ferrari's successful start in this season of Formula 1 World Championship was followed by a series of failures. As a Scuderia Ferrari's passionate fan, I was extremely disappointed by this. But Kimi Raikkonen's success at Magny-Cours last week, followed by today's magnificent victory made me happy :) Ferrari showed that it's way too early to consider this season's fate decided. Both last week and this week, Ferrari showed that their cars were equally fast, if not faster than those of the rival McLaren-Mercedes.It was extremely unfortunate that Kimi's teammate Felipe Massa had to start from the last position because of his Ferrari stalling on the grid in the original start. But Massa did a little miracle and finished the 5th. Had he not had to start from the pit lane, Hamilton's podium would have been under a question. All in all, the British driver continues his record by "renting" a place on the podium.
While the gap between McLaren and Ferrari is considerable (25 points), the gap between Alonso and Raikkonen has been reduced to 6 points. Raikkonen has a 18 point handicap to Lewis Hamilton. However, considering Ferrari's progress past two weeks, we can safely assume that the upcoming races will be breathtaking.
While the gap between McLaren and Ferrari is considerable (25 points), the gap between Alonso and Raikkonen has been reduced to 6 points. Raikkonen has a 18 point handicap to Lewis Hamilton. However, considering Ferrari's progress past two weeks, we can safely assume that the upcoming races will be breathtaking.
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