Formule 1

[Kinga]

Kimi during Mugello test...

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari:
“I don’t know what time the race is. Is it in the evening? Good. I enjoy evenings and night time more anyhow. I like to sleep until noon every day so for me this seems the perfect venue. I am more awake in the evenings than in the mornings. I am very much looking forward to that experience, but honestly I don’t think there is much difference for us as drivers as I assume the lights let the track look similar to all the other tracks that we race at daytime. It will be a bit cooler in the evening - and there is a much bigger chance of rain than during the day time in that part of the world, so we should see an exciting race. I will fly out one week before the race to get accustomed to the climate, with a stopover in Dubai where I have some work to do.”


Raikkonen: ''I don't feel like being the second driver, for the moment I don't.'' :sad:

Q: But on your website you've said a miracle is needed to still win the title, is that saying goodbye to all your hopes ?
Raikkonen: ''I'll repeat it, indeed a miracle is needed like that of a year ago when I was 17 points behind with two races left to go. I know well that it won't be easy but you never know. It's never over as long as the standings still permit you a chance. The problem is that there are little points to be gained.''

Q: And so ?
Raikkonen: ''I will think about my small chance race per race hoping to obtain good results, which is something I haven't been able to do for some time now. It's the only aspect I want to remain concentrated on. But we musn't forget the importance of the team either.''

Q: You've been testing the Singapore circuit in the simulator at Fiat's research centre. What are your impressions ?
Raikkonen: ''I see the simulator as a computergame. It was nice looking at the racing lines through the corners but you will only know the truth when you're out there driving in the car. I don't like the simulator because it has nothing to do with Formula 1, I prefer driving real cars.''

Q: What's your idea of the Singapore ciruit ?
Raikkonen: ''That it will be an interesting Grand Prix because every new circuit is always a nice experience and then we will also be driving at nighttime. I don't think it will be dangerous because the necessary illumination will be there. It will seem like it's daytime and we almost won't be noticing the difference. In short, I can't wait to be there.''

Q: How's this test going ? You've been in the pitbox for a long time this morning, was there a failure ?
Raikkonen: ''No, neither a failure, nor a problem. It took a long time to change some small things that we wanted to try out to improve the car, especially with regard to the set-up to overcome the difficulties we've had with heating up the tyres. We've tried out various solutions and the direction we've chosen seems to be the right on indeed.''

 

[Kinga]

At the world premiere of the Ferrari California car... :wub:

Have you seen these pics? I've only seen the first one but OMG look... those gangsta boys are posing "cool" in one of the pics while in the other they are playing with a teddy bear... isn't it just cute???

http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3456445cg3.jpg

 

[The One.]

^ LOL @ Massa :lol:

At the world premiere of the Ferrari California car... :wub:

Aww how cute pic :wub:

 

[The One.]

Lewis Hamilton to keep bodyclock in European time for F1 Singapore Grand Prix

The island state hosts Formula One's first night race, with the circuit taking in a number of famous landmarks such as Raffles Boulevard, Anderson Bridge and the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel.

But it is the timing of the event that is all the talk, with the two practice sessions on Friday starting at 7pm and 9.30pm local time.

The qualifying session on Saturday gets under way at 10pm, whilst the race begins at 8pm, all under the most sophisticated lightning system ever produced for a sports event.

There will be almost 110,000 metres of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,500 light projectors, creating illumination four times brighter than anything used at sports stadiums.

For the drivers, the unusual timings mean an entirely different approach to the weekend is required, and for current championship leader Hamilton he has put his faith in team doctor Aki Hintsa.

"Singapore is going to be a unique challenge for every member of the team," said Hamilton. "Our doctor has prepared a very precise schedule for the drivers to stick to because all the sessions are so late in the day.

"Essentially we must not acclimatise to the local time, which is totally different to how we normally operate.

"Our training programmes ensure that over a race weekend we are at peak performance during the afternoons and as a result we are going to be staying in European time so this doesn't get disrupted.

"Apparently not acclimatising is much harder than adapting, because your body naturally wants to change. For the drivers, our meal, waking and sleeping rhythms will all be in European time.

"For example we will get up early afternoon for breakfast, have supper at 1am and go to bed at around 3am. It will be very different preparation to any other race, but we'll try and do the best job we can."

Hamilton does not believe racing at night will pose any concerns, despite the fact the track is a street circuit housing 23 corners.

"The race will be quite a fun challenge, and I like a challenge!" insisted Hamilton. "I've never raced at night before, but I don't think it is going to be a problem. It doesn't seem to be a problem in other sports, and there have been huge preparations for this, so I think it will be great.

"We are racing on another street circuit, which are a particular favourite of mine. From what I understand it is wide and fairly flowing in nature, which is not what you usually expect from a street circuit.

"But it sounds like it will be pretty spectacular."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mo...ise-night-race-performance---Formula-One.html

I can not WAIT to watch the night race! :wild: I'll be going to watch it at the movie teathre..

 

[Kinga]

That sounds great! I can't wait it either! Maybe Kimi is there already to get accustumed to the climate.

As you could read Kimi doesn't care at all, he was like: is it a nice race? good. - in an interview. For him it's not a big deal while at McLaren they make big thing out of it. Or is it just the PR work again what we used to get from Hamster? He likes to talk...

 

[Kinga]

Di Montezemolo: Raikkonen will come good (Thanks Mr. President, you are great! )

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo defended the team's decision to extend Kimi Raikkonen's contract and says the reigning world champion will come good again.

The Finn has come under criticism for a string of below par performances this season, and three races without a point mean he is now 21 points adrift of championship leader Lewis Hamilton and will have to play a supporting role to teammate Felipe Massa where possible in the final four races.


But di Montezemolo believes that despite his poor run of form, Raikkonen will come good again.


"I know some disagreed when we lengthened his contract, but we are talking about the world champion, who won the title in his first year at Ferrari," he told Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.
"Kimi is like those great forwards in football who can't score for a while but, since they're good, sooner or later they find their way to the goal again, which is good for them and their teams."


The marque boss admitted that the team's pace in the wet has become an issue and that they were thankful that one day of last week's test at Mugello was run in the wet.


"The tests were very positive and one day was in the rain," he added. "We needed it a lot because we have a car that in similar circumstances struggles a lot to bring the tyres up to temperature."
Di Montezemolo also said that he doesn't need to give any advice to Massa for the remainder of the championship battle, or to Raikkonen about his role in the remaining races.
"Felipe doesn't need any, he's always done his job," said di Montezemolo. "He's very quick and he works in perfect harmony with the team. I appreciate his ability not to take risks in order to bring the car to the finish.
"Felipe and Kimi know well what they have to do because both of them race for Ferrari. The rules have always been clear, we all work for the team."


The Italian is confident Ferrari can win both championships this year, but is not looking forward to the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix next weekend.


"I have great confidence, obviously," he said. "For the 11th consecutive year, Ferrari are fighting for the title. We've had Williams, McLaren, and Renault coming and going, but we have always been there.
"The drivers are concentrating on what needs to be improved and on the next grand prix in Singapore. But I have the impression that it's another track where you can't overtake, Valencia-style.
"To go on with these circuits spells an ugly future for Formula One."

 

[Kinga]

:wub:

:lmao:

he likes to sleep, doesn't he?

 

[The One.]

^^ LOL at the 3rd pic :rofl:

Di Montezemolo spoke very nicely about Kimi.

Peter Sauber: Hamilton buckling under pressure

Source/Credit-GMM
Monday, 22 September 2008

Formula One team founder Peter Sauber has revealed that, of the two main challengers, he would prefer to see his former driver Felipe Massa win the 2008 title.

Sauber, whose Hinwil based team is now controlled by BMW while he remains a small shareholder and consultant, raced as a privateer with customer Ferrari power for many years.

"If I follow my heart, I would say Massa because of Ferrari obviously means a lot more to me," the 64 -year-old Swiss, who actually dropped Massa at the end of 2002 before re-hiring him in 2004, said.

Sauber also told the Credit Suisse emagazine that he believes Massa, just a single point behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, is the more solid contender with four races to go.

"Both McLaren and Hamilton are showing some nerves," he said, questioning McLaren's handling of the Hamilton championship campaign.

"Hamilton was declared as this year's star and World Champion even before the season got going. This is in keeping with McLaren's style, but of course it's not true."

"That's a huge burden for a young man to bear and now, in one way or another, it has taken its toll. He just can't take the pressure."

I hope so :innocent:

 

[Kinga]

^^^yeah, I've read about this too.

I have to be honest... I'm always honest, sometimes it's good sometimes not...

If Kimi (or Kubica) can't win this year... then I think Hamster would deserve it more than Massa. He's the better driver (no matter how much we hate him) among the 2 and he did better driving (except Canada). Massa was good but he couldn't make any nice overtakings or flat out driving (he just won by sitting on the pole or by present victories from Kimi). It's just statistics, but they show he won 5 GPs so far in this season. What kind of victories they are? Bahrein - pole, easy victory. Turkey - OK, it's his cirquit, from pole, he let Hamster to pass him that's why Kimi couldn't get the 2nd place. Valencia - he got the pole, nothing serious had happened, easy one. France - he only could win it because Kimi had that damn exhaust problem. He couldn't have beaten Kimi in France, no way, he metioned it in the press conference. Spa - what did he do in Spa? He showed some cautious driving, no overtaking, could have been happy with the 3rd place, and what he got: 1st place... The only nice racing from him was the one he showed at Hungaroring. Hadn't there been the problems for Kimi, definitely Massa wouldn't have been in this situation.

Plus, I think it would not be so good for Kimi because then everybody would say that he was beaten by his team-mate.

But still Hamster is so rude and cocky and is a cheater... He wouldn't deserve it also... OMG! It's so hard!

I don't want these men to become world champion.....:no:

Kimi! Come on and win all the races from now on please!!!!!!!!!!!:angel:

 

[The One.]

Yep you're right.. he might be better driver but since this life isn't fair and the best driver doesn't always win (because then Kimi would win) I don't want Hamilton to win
I refuse to say he deserves the win. LoL

 

[Kinga]

^^^I refused it, too in my post :lol: I'm confused...:doh:

But still Hamster is so rude and cocky and is a cheater... He wouldn't deserve it also... OMG! It's so hard!

I don't want these men to become world champion.....:no:

You know what? I still believe in Kimi, because it would be fair if he would win the title.unk:
Let's wait and see... Kimi-style...:cheeky:

 

[The One.]

Yep, he's amazing so he still has a tiny chance. Go Kimi show them who's the MANNN :hat_wave: :hat_wave: :hat_wave:

 

[Kinga]

Yep, he's amazing so he still has a tiny chance. Go Kimi show them who's the MANNN :hat_wave: :hat_wave: :hat_wave:

yeah!!! :hat_wave: and as long as he has a tiny chance... he'll keep on fighting and he won't give up! (see my siggy... those are his words, just to remind everybody: It's not over, I'll never give up!)
That's sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hat_wave: :hat_wave: :hat_wave:

Goooo Kimi!!!!!

We believe in you!!!!! No matter what!!!!!
:hat_wave: :hat_wave: :hat_wave:


PS: I've just read that according to Massa they've found a solution regarding the tyre heating issue during last week's test. I hope it's true!!!

 

[The One.]

PS: I've just read that according to Massa they've found a solution regarding the tyre heating issue during last week's test. I hope it's true!!!

I definitely want that to be true, too! :yes: Why would Massa lie, though :scratch:But well, we'll see :wild:
And oh, I just found out that they dont show the Gp's in movie theatre anymore :girl_tantrum:

 

[Kinga]

And oh, I just found out that they dont show the Gp's in movie theatre anymore :girl_tantrum:

oh, really??? OMG! I feel sad for you, you wanted to see this GP in the theatre so much.

yeah, I hope that it's true about the tyre heating...

About Singapore GP:
Massa always prepares to fuel light (more lighter than Kimi), and in this case (Massa is closer to Hamster in the standings) they'll fuel his car even lighter...knowing the fact that at McLaren they like to play the PR stuff for pole position... Kimi has chance only if Massa would have some problems (during the race or qualifying...). At least he has to be behind him to make sure he'll get a good result. I think they won't let him win it if he would be 2nd behind Massa (I mean during the pitstops they won't let him to overtake Massa... ). I hope if he would be in front of Massa they won't ask him to let Massa go for the victory. That would be so bad...

 

[The One.]

About Singapore GP:
Massa always prepares to fuel light (more lighter than Kimi), and in this case (Massa is closer to Hamster in the standings) they'll fuel his car even lighter...knowing the fact that at McLaren they like to play the PR stuff for pole position... Kimi has chance only if Massa would have some problems (during the race or qualifying...). At least he has to be behind him to make sure he'll get a good result. I think they won't let him win it if he would be 2nd behind Massa (I mean during the pitstops they won't let him to overtake Massa... ). I hope if he would be in front of Massa they won't ask him to let Massa go for the victory. That would be so bad...

*sigh*

Why things can't just be the way we want them to be, Kimi leading the championship with 20 points..? :innocent:

I hate it if Kimi isn't "allowed" to win.

 

[Kinga]

*sigh*

Why things can't just be the way we want them to be, Kimi leading the championship with 20 points..? :innocent:

I hate it if Kimi isn't "allowed" to win.

yeah, it would be a strange feeling... seeing him as a 2nd driver. I bet it will be a completely new and frustrating situation for him (and for us, too :sad because he has never been in this kind of situation before. Always he was the better (still he is the better, no doubt!) and the favored driver...

Sorrily he hasn't been in a situation where he leads in the championship at the end of the season in his whole career. He was always the chaser... If you think about last year, it really was a miracle that it could happen. He needed this kind of miracle in 2003 also (he should have won while Schumi should have had a DNF). I'm not talking about 2005 because though it was a mind-blowing season from him in terms of his performance, but it was a very dissapointing season for McLaren. I think he lost it because the McLaren car was so unreliable. Hadn't there been those extreme engine failures and other mechanical failures during races... he would have been the champion of 2005 most definitely. If the car went well no one could stop him even Alonso... And by now he would have been a double world champion while Alonso a single world champion.

Oh well :sad:

*sigh*

 

[Kinga]

OMG!!! I'm so proud of myself.... :lol: Am I a F1 expert??? What did I just say in one of my today's previous post about Massa...???

So, read this article, just found today, and I didn't write it, though I could have written it... :wink:

Felipe Massa is in the thick of the title battle - can he become champion?

Felipe Massa must be the leading candidate for most improved driver of 2008. In fact, you could make that case for the last two seasons, since he put the shaky start to his Ferrari debut in 2006 behind him.
This time twelve months ago he didn’t look like being the man who would lead the Italian team’s championship bid this year, but that’s exactly what’s happened. So can he go all the way to win the title?

Finding his feet at Ferrari

Massa’s move to Ferrari in 2006 was met with a degree of scepticism. It was hard to point to many stand-out performances from his three years at Sauber, and the convenience of his manager being Jean Todt’s son led to conclusions that Massa was being planted at Ferrari as a competent but non-threatening number two to keep Michael Schumacher happy.

That assessment was borne out in the first half of 2006. Massa made high-profile mistakes at Bahrain, Melbourne at Monaco. But as the year progressed he settled down and scored his maiden win at Istanbul - he remains undefeated at the track since - and a popular win in his home race.

This season started badly for Massa with mistakes at Melbourne and Sepang. But since then he’s scored points regularly, largely stayed out of trouble, and above all he’s usually had the beating of Kimi Raikkonen.

Championship contender

This is perhaps the most surprising thing of all because many expected Raikkonen to have little trouble keeping Massa down - especially having won last year’s championship.

It’s a very rare thing for the drivers’ championship to pass from one driver to another while the two are in the same team (Alain Prost did it twice).

But Massa, just one point behind Hamilton in the standings (seven if Hamilton wins his appeal), could do it. It would be especially ironic given that Massa relinquishing the lead of last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix helped Raikkonen become champion.

Weak spots

There are two particular areas in which I think Massa is yet to prove himself capable beyond question.
This first is race craft. Although he passed more drivers on track than anyone else last year, the statistic is flattered by the occasions on which he found himself towards the back of the grid having to pass much slower cars. It’s hard to think of many occasions where he’s gone wheel-to-wheel with other front-runners and come out on top, apart from his pass on Lewis Hamilton at the start of the Hungarorian Grand Prix.

Part of this perceived race craft weakness are his defensive skills. He more-or-less pulled over and let Lewis Hamilton pass him at Hockenheim. Last year Fernando Alonso brushed him aside late in the race at the Nürburgring to take the win.

The Nürburgring race ended in wet conditions, which is the other scenario where Massa struggled. But, like his race craft, this is an area where we have seen clear signs of improvement this year, particularly at Monaco. Still, that nightmare race at Silverstone will linger in the memory for a while.
There are competing explanations for what’s behind Massa’s turnaround. I think it’s hard to discount the observation that he’s simply improved with time. Plenty has been said about the role of Michael Schumacher and Rob Smedley in getting more out of Massa but, important though they have surely been, they can’t get in the car and drive it for him. Massa has simply been getting the job done, and his technical approach and/or driving style appear to get more out of the F2008 than Raikkonen’s do.
Massa has visibly improved almost every aspect of his game since joining Ferrari. But is he now world championship-winning material? Would he make a good champion?

You can read comments there too, they are really good and true IMO.

For example:

Kimi’s last 10 races have been such rubbish due to rediculous cirmcanstances, Massa basically just has had to finish the race to get more points…and thus has found himself in title contention. Hamilton as well has had problems which obviously helped Massa’s cause.
I don’t like Massa’s attitude whereas he blames everything else when something goes wrong, but when he wins it was all down to him…even france.

Massa as a World Champion - the image still seems hard for people to understand. Probably because his mistakes this year remain longer in memory than his wins… I mean who can forget his frankly embarassing slide into the wall at the first corner of the Aussie GP? And of course the near half dozen spins in the British GP… but also he has had utterly dominating wins at Bahrain and Instanbul (Massa stomping grounds) and would have had 1 more at Hungary… I agree he seems to be useless while overtaking/defending cars of near equal speed, but in any case, Massa’s points tally is ahead of Kimi’s and probably will catch Lewis as well (barring rain ), and isn’t that what counts? Being a Kimi fan, I am confused as to how difficult it is for a team like Ferrari to iron out these issues… My heart says Kimi will win this year, my head says Massa (again barring rain/him not getting pole etc..) and everything else says Lewis will

Go KIMI!!!!!

I still can’t figure out how he got to this position. This was a guy who was dropped from a Sauber race seat and sent to be a test driver.
I don’t find the guy terribly likeable, and I really don’t find his driving ability to be all that amazing. For every notch he pushes himself up, like his Hungary performance or his start-to-finish win in that oh-so-wonderful Valencia race, theres an abysmal farce like his sunday drive at Silverstone to knock him back down two.
If he wins the championship, I’d probably see him as the least deserving of the 7 champions I would have seen in my armchair Formula 1 career, the wet fish that he is.

Felipe can’t catch a break..
His car broke down twice this season . In my recollection this took some 15 points from him (10 in Hungary and, say, 5 in Australia). He lost a further 5 points in Canada when the team made a mistake and he had to be refuelled again after the safety car - a move that put him dead last in the race and he still managed to finish fifth. Rain is not his forte, but more to the point, Ferrari does not have a good car in the wet this year (Raikonen is also strugling in those conditions) and he had to brave 4 races in the wet so far.
At the same time the great Lewis-the-balls has driven a car that hasn’t had a single mechanical problem in the whole season. The team never forgot to put fuel in his car. Mclaren has one of the best wet whether cars in the grid - everybody seing how Hamilton would overtake the adversaries in the middle of the straight in the Monza GP could see that his car had way more grip than anybody else. One cannot put it down to his “extraordinary” talent - pressing the accelerator down in the straight is hardly a demonstration of skill.
And yet the untalented & unlucky Ferrari driver is 1 single point behind the bigger-than-life, super-hyper-extra Hamiboy. And before the ******** starts, they made a similar number of mistakes throught the season: Massa had problems in Malaisia and Silverstone, Lewis scrwed it up in Bahrain and Canada.
Hamilton fans must be getting a hell of a year to come up with the necessary spinning to explain such a close fight between your Greatest-Ever and, as one of you put it, a driver that belongs to the bottom of the top 10 (or rather in the top of the 11-20) drivers. Keep up the good work, Hamiboy fans, and may Planetf1 and the force be with you.

I got this article from this site, there you can read debates about other pilots, too.
www.f1fanatic.co.uk

 

[Kinga]

Hamilton: I hope judges see the truth

Lewis Hamilton flew out of Paris on his way to Singapore on Monday night saying he hoped the judges at the FIA International Court of Appeal had seen the 'truth' after their lengthy hearing into the Belgian Grand Prix controversy.

Hamilton testified at length about his version of events at Spa-Francorchamps in front of the five judges, and at one stage got into an exchange with Ferrari counsel Nigel Tozzi QC.

And as he left the court, Hamilton said he would not worry tonight about what decision the judges will come to when they deliver their verdict tomorrow morning.

"Whatever happens I am not worried either way," he said. "I just hope the judges see the truth. I am a racing driver, driven by excellence. It's what I do. It's what I enjoy doing. I am now just going to focus on
my next race and hopefully winning there.

"At the moment, as I see it, I am one point ahead and that's how I will go into it."

Hamilton had only been called up to testify in the afternoon, with the morning's session dominated by talk between lawyers about whether the appeal was admissible.

When he was called up to give his account of the events, Hamilton stood his ground when cross-examined by Tozzi.

And at one stage, when angered about some comments regarding his behaviour, Hamilton said to Tozzi: "Are you a racing driver? No!

"I have been a racing driver since I was eight years old and I know pretty much every single manoeuvre in the book, and that's why I'm the best at my job. We are talking about a skilled driver under intense
pressure making a split-second decision which no-one, not unless they are in Formula One, can comprehend.":smilerolleyes::doh::doh:

The court looked at detailed video footage of the incident to try and get a better understanding of the situation.

Hamilton remarked: "Your heart is battling whilst you are racing.

"The last thing I wanted to do is crash into him. When you have gone so far, you want to finish the race. We had a great battle and there was no need to take stupid risks, so I had to cut the chicane.

"I've since studied the footage about 10 times and I can remember it vividly like it was yesterday. I believe I then gave the advantage back. I honestly, hand on heart feel I did so."

The five judges presiding over the case - Xavier Conesa (Spain), Philippe Narmino (Monaco), Erich Sedelmayer (Austria), Harry Duijm (Netherlands) and Thierry Julliard (Switzerland) will spend this evening deliberating on their verdict.

They will first of all have to decide if the appeal was admissible in the first place.

According to FIA regulations, drive-through penalties are not subject to appeal, but McLaren's QC Mark Phillips has argued that this case should revolve simply around the time penalty as there was no way to serve the drive-through.

Only if the judges rule that the appeal is valid will they then deliberate over their view on whether Hamilton did gain an advantage by cutting the chicane.

Hamilton admitted to an element of relief when he left the court, as he headed for a flight to Singapore via Zurich.

"It was long and intense," he explained. "I said what was on my mind because in that position you can be talked down to. But by no means am I an idiot. I had a right to my opinion.

"But I am very, very proud of my team because I am amazed at how much work and attention to detail went into it.

"There were much better things I could have done with my day, like prepare for the next grand prix in Singapore, but today was a very important issue.

"I was unfortunately penalised, so it was good to come here and put our point of view, as well as listen to other people's opinions."


--------------------------------------------


FIA rejects McLaren's appeal

The FIA has rejected McLaren's appeal against the penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton following the Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps.

The decision means Hamilton remains just one point ahead of Ferrari rival Felipe Massa in the drivers' world championship with four races to go.

Hamilton would have received a drive-through for benefiting from cutting the Bus Stop chicane, but was given a 25-second penalty instead because the event was already over.
The penalty dropped Hamilton from first to third.

McLaren maintained Hamilton had not gained any advantage from jumping the chicane and decided to appeal the penalty.

The FIA said, however, that drive-through penalties could not be appealed.

"Article 152 of the International Sporting Code states that drive-through penalties are 'not susceptible to appeal'," a statement from the FIA's Court of Appeal said on Tuesday.

"The competitor Vodafone McLaren Mercedes appealed the Steward's decision before the International Court of Appeal in a hearing in Paris on September 22nd.

"Having heard the explanations of the parties the Court has concluded that the appeal is inadmissible."

McLaren claimed in the court that a precedent to appeal Hamilton's 25-second penalty had been set at last year's Japanese Grand Prix, when Scuderia Toro Rosso were allowed to challenge a similar punishment handed down to Vitantonio Liuzzi for overtaking under yellow flags.

The FIA told McLaren, however, that there had been a mistake in Liuzzi's original penalty - and that he too should have been given a drive-through penalty. FIA race director Charlie Whiting claimed that the chief race steward at the time, Tony Scott-Andrews, had told him there had been an error.

However, McLaren produced a statement from Scott-Andrews in court countering the claims of the FIA.
In his statement, he set the record straight by stating: "I have seen the email and I'm extremely surprised by its content. In short, it is grossly inaccurate and misleading."

Although Whiting stood by his belief that Scott-Andrews had informed him he made an error, McLaren's lawyer Mark Phillips made sure that the court should be made aware of the implication.
Phillips labeled it as an 'unfortunate email' and pleaded with the judges: "to reflect when you come to consider your judgment the way in which certain members of the FIA conducted themselves. I won't say any more."

 

[The One.]

^^ I would have done something really bad if they wouldn't have rejected it. LoL.
I don't think tuxedo suits Hamilton that much..:

 

[Kinga]

^^^blaaaah that's all I wanted to say....

Watch this, it's an interview with Kimi from today. He murmures even more now... soo cute :wub:

But listen, when the reporter asks him if he thinks Hamster is a fair driver... OMG! You know it already what he said... Of course, he didn't say anything bad about him after Hamster said so rude and unpolite things about Kimi regarding Spa and Monza... He refuses to say sh*t about that Hamster... OMG! What a gentleman...

I'm just speechless. I really cannot say a word...

I love you Kimi, more than ever.... :wub:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GiZ57kALGw

 

[Kinga]

Kimi was in Abu Dhabi to see the new cirquit and to officially open the Etihad Holidays Shop

Reigning Formula One world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, roared into Abu Dhabi this week on a day trip that included being quizzed by a group of Emirati youngsters aspiring to become the UAE’s grand prix driving stars of the future.

The 'flying Finn' was the special guest of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and sponsor of the famous Ferrari F1 team for whom Raikkonen drives.


The Abu Dhabi-based airline is also the three-year title sponsor of next year's inaugural ‘Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’, which will be staged in the UAE capital in November.



As well as hosting an F1 question and answer session with children at the iconic Emirates Palace hotel (pictured)l, Raikkonen enjoyed a helicopter flight over Abu Dhabi’s new Yas Marina grand prix circuit. Later in the day, Kimi was given a more unusual aerial view of the track from the flight deck of an Etihad Airways flight simulator, piloted by Emirati Captain Fahmi Mohamed.


Peter Baumgartner, Etihad's Executive Vice President Marketing and Product, said: "The excitement generated by 'Kimi Day' has been enormous and the reigning World Champion's visit is sure to generate momentum as we move towards the inaugural Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in just over a year's time.



“The growing association we are building with Ferrari and F1 is an integral part of our international sports sponsorship strategy, to help Etihad reach a global audience and bring Abu Dhabi to the world.”
Ferrari is already developing a close association with Abu Dhabi, through a new US$600 million, 2,500 acre theme park being built in the Emirate, also on the Yas Marina circuit and due to open in 2009. The team is also sponsored by Mubadala Development Company, the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government. The company purchased in 2005 a 5% stake in Ferrari.


It has been provisionally announced that the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place on 15 November 2009, the last race in the 19-race F1 season.


Baumgartner added: “Hosting the final race of the F1 season at our home base of Abu Dhabi is a great honour and tremendously exciting for Etihad as the race’s title sponsor. The race will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase our airline and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world. Hopefully 2009 will be as exciting as last year, when the final race of the season proved to be the successful title decider for Kimi and the Ferrari team.”


‘Kimi Day’ also included a visit to Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall where the Ferrari driver officially opened the latest Etihad Holidays Shop, before taking on members of the public in a special simulated F1 driving challenge laid on by Mubadala.


Etihad's involvement with the Ferrari F1 team is one of a growing number of high-profile sports sponsorships for the airline, and complements existing partnerships with Chelsea Football Club, Harlequins Rugby Football Club, the All Ireland Hurling Championships and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

 

[The One.]

^^^blaaaah that's all I wanted to say....

Watch this, it's an interview with Kimi from today. He murmures even more now... soo cute :wub:

But listen, when the reporter asks him if he thinks Hamster is a fair driver... OMG! You know it already what he said... Of course, he didn't say anything bad about him after Hamster said so rude and unpolite things about Kimi regarding Spa and Monza... He refuses to say sh*t about that Hamster... OMG! What a gentleman...

I'm just speechless. I really cannot say a word...

I love you Kimi, more than ever.... :wub:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GiZ57kALGw

His voice sounded so low
I couldn't really hear what he was saying, I have pretty bad speakers on my computer..

 

[Kinga]

His voice sounded so low
I couldn't really hear what he was saying, I have pretty bad speakers on my computer..

yeah, it was a bit strange. I think he was tired as hell. That seems from the pics I've seen from yesterday.


Look, what I've found. Here's a part of an interview with Kimi from last year before the Canadian GP. He's a gentleman. This - again - proves it.

Q. Jacques Villeneuve has said that Lewis Hamilton is a driver who is dangerous on the track and some of the ways he drives warrants a black flag. What do you think?
KR: I don't want to get involved in that...
Q. How do you think Lewis is driving?
KR: He has been doing a good job. I haven't been so close to him in the races to see what he has done, but I don't want to get involved in that situation.
He is a good driver. Everyone knew he was good even before he came to F1 and he has a good team behind him. So he is doing good this year but we are trying to beat him.

Other funny article, I don't know whether you have read it in Finnish or not but here you are. By Heikki Kulta.

Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel have become good friends.

- He's a nice guy, Kimi says about the German.

- He's a nice guy who cannot lose, Vettel says about Kimi.

Kimi lives in Zurich and Vettel lives 35 km away in Wachwil.

The friendship was born by accident. Vettel once got to travel in Kimi's private plane on a working trip and they got to know each other better.

Nowadays Kimi and Vettel have been sporting together. They especially like to challenge each other by playing badminton.

- There is a badminton-center nearby and we play there, Kimi says.

- Sometimes we play when we are in the same area. How often depends on how busy we both are, Vettel admits.

Both seem to have a clear opinion of their own playing skills.

- He can't play at all and he hasn't won me once. He only gets something like 5-6 points, Kimi brags.

- Kimi is a little better - but not for long, Vettel challenges.

They both think that badminton suits perfectly a top-athlete.

- It's great when I get to play with Sebastian. I hadn't played badminton myself for a long time, Kimi says and smiles.





Watch! This is from Belgian GP. They say it started to rain and only the 2 Finnish guys were kind enough to go on the track for the driver's parade!!! The other pilots were simply not there!!! That just shows something, isn't it? You can be pride of your guys! They are too kind. :yes:

 

[Kinga]

I've found another funny article. It's really strange. It seems like Hamilton asked for Kimi's apologise after the crash in Canada because he had to, thinking about what if someone asked Kimi and Kimi would say 'no, he did not apologize to me'. It could be one of the politically correct stunts by McLaren.
If he really felt sorry about it he would have said it first after the race: "I am very very sorry for crashing into Kimi. It feels horrible"..
Instead he was saying how he could have won that race, blah-blah, not the sort of words from a person who feels sorry about what happened.

I think Kimi has changed his opinions about Hamilton, like lot of us, from the season beginning to now. He used to defend Hamilton with media after Malaysia. He called him wooden head (or eye) in one of his interviews recently. Kimi is a nice person. He would not say that if Hamilton had been genuine and fair.



Turun Sanomat,Finland.
Hamilton finally apologised to Kimi 20/6/08

Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferrari team were surprised in Canada when Lewis Hamilton didn't apologise for running into him in the pit lane.

On Thursday,the 23 year old Brittish star sneaked into Ferrari's motor home,met with Kimi privately and presented him his personal apology. "We met and Lewis told how the pressure and anticipation at that moment were terrible and lead to that crash.I understood how sorry he was about what happened and I am satisfied with this meeting.These things happen and now it's no point to chew on these things anymore",Kimi said. "The most important thing for both of us is to concentrate only on this race.We both want to get up from the gutter we fell into in Canada" Kimi continued.

 

[The One.]

^ I haven't read that story about Kimi and Vettel, it was nice "He can't play at all and he hasn't won me once. He only gets something like 5-6 points, Kimi brags." LOL Kimi :lol:

Watch! This is from Belgian GP. They say it started to rain and only the 2 Finnish guys were kind enough to go on the track for the driver's parade!!! The other pilots were simply not there!!! That just shows something, isn't it? You can be pride of your guys! They are too kind. :yes:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I love that pic! Two crazy Finns enjoying the rain... maybe it made them feel like home :lol:

 

[Kinga]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I love that pic! Two crazy Finns enjoying the rain... maybe it made them feel like home :lol:

:lmao: :lmao:

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

2 crazy Finns.... haha I like it.

 

[The One.]

I've found another funny article. It's really strange. It seems like Hamilton asked for Kimi's apologise after the crash in Canada because he had to, thinking about what if someone asked Kimi and Kimi would say 'no, he did not apologize to me'. It could be one of the politically correct stunts by McLaren.
If he really felt sorry about it he would have said it first after the race: "I am very very sorry for crashing into Kimi. It feels horrible"..
Instead he was saying how he could have won that race, blah-blah, not the sort of words from a person who feels sorry about what happened.

I think Kimi has changed his opinions about Hamilton, like lot of us, from the season beginning to now. He used to defend Hamilton with media after Malaysia. He called him wooden head (or eye) in one of his interviews recently. Kimi is a nice person. He would not say that if Hamilton had been genuine and fair.



Turun Sanomat,Finland.
Hamilton finally apologised to Kimi 20/6/08

Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferrari team were surprised in Canada when Lewis Hamilton didn't apologise for running into him in the pit lane.

On Thursday,the 23 year old Brittish star sneaked into Ferrari's motor home,met with Kimi privately and presented him his personal apology. "We met and Lewis told how the pressure and anticipation at that moment were terrible and lead to that crash.I understood how sorry he was about what happened and I am satisfied with this meeting.These things happen and now it's no point to chew on these things anymore",Kimi said. "The most important thing for both of us is to concentrate only on this race.We both want to get up from the gutter we fell into in Canada" Kimi continued.

It's a little late to apologise now :smilerolleyes: Whatever, Hamilton.

 

[Kinga]

It's a little late to apologise now :smilerolleyes: Whatever, Hamilton.

It happened in June, 20th. I think it was in France. It was a little bit late anyhow because he had to do it after the crash, immediately. I think the team (Ron) told him to do it. It wasn't in his mind at all that it would be nice to say it. Isn't it strange that journalists didn't bother that mistake at all while what happened in Monaco that was their passion for so long? They kept asking Kimi about and he couldn't telling the apologises enough times...

 

[Kinga]

Domenicali: Both drivers will work for the team

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is sure that Kimi Raikkonen will do whatever is best for the team in the remaining four races of the season.

The reigning world champion is 21 points behind Lewis Hamilton and 20 behind his teammate, Felipe Massa, and is expected to play a supporting role to Massa from here on.

Raikkonen has not publicly stated that he will try to help Massa, instead saying he hopes to pull off a repeat of last season when he overcame a 17-point deficit with two races to go to win the championship.

"It's not over yet, but now it will take a miracle, one that makes lightning strike twice," he said. "I will never forget what happened last year and I want to repeat it again."

But Domenicali insists that what's best for the team will come first.
"The fight for the two titles will be very close," said the Italian. "Kimi and Felipe met president (Luca) di Montezemolo who made it very clear that, as usual, Ferrari's simple target come the end of the season is to win both titles.

"Both drivers will be working towards this target over the remaining four races, knowing that, as always for the Scuderia, the good of the team comes first."

------------

So that means Kimi has no chance unless Massa has some problems...