Owner: Following Kimi URL:http://followkimi.blogspot.com Join Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:41:08 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: We try to follow Kimi from the time he starts his new career at Ferrari.All the latest news on Kimi Raikkonen as soon as it happens. After the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari announced that Räikkönen had signed a three-year contract with Scuderia Ferrari Site statistics:Click here
WIKI 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kimi Räikkönen From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Kimi Raikkonen) Jump to: navigation, search Kimi Räikkönen Räikkönen at the 2002 United States Grand Prix F1 Record Nationality Finnish Car # 6 Current team Scuderia Ferrari Grands Prix 102 World Championships 0 Wins 9 Podium finishes 36 Pole positions 12 Fastest laps 19 First Grand Prix 2001 Australian Grand Prix First win 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix Last win 2005 Japanese Grand Prix Latest Grand Prix 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix 2006 Championship position 5th (65 points) edit Kimi Matias Räikkönen (pronounced /ˈki.mi ˈmɑ.ti.ɑs ˈræik.kø.nen/), born October 17, 1979 in Espoo, Finland) is a Formula One race car driver for Scuderia Ferrari. He finished runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2003 and 2005. He has driven for Sauber-Petronas (2001) and Team McLaren-Mercedes (2002-2006) and has signed a 3-year deal with Ferrari f
'Alonso Could Be The Key to Success for McLaren' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Peter Sauber has tipped Fernando Alonso
to defend his back to back drivers' championships in 2007.Two of his former drivers appear to also be in the title hunt, but Sauber reckons the Spaniard is already ahead of the game at the wheel of a new McLaren."Alonso could be the key to success for McLaren," the Swiss, who at the end of 2005 sold his Hinwil based squad to BMW, told Motorsport Aktuell."The last question mark is whether they can get their reliability right."In 2001, Sauber gave Kimi Raikkonen his debut, while in 2004 the dwindling career of Giancarlo Fisichella was rescued with a seat for the Swiss team.But Sauber said: "Alonso has not only the speed of a Raikkonen, but the completeness and race intelligence of a Schumacher. I don't really see that with Kimi."Finn Raikkonen, 27, has switched from McLaren after five fruitless seasons to fill Schumacher's vacant post.Sauber's observations also seem to be borne out in the winter time sheets so far, after the new McLaren MP4-22 Read more:Success
Schumi ponders Ferrari role and his reactions on Kimi 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Retired Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher says his new role at Ferrari
is likely to remain vague for the time being. The 38-year-old is taking a reported $6m out of the Maranello based team's coffers in 2007 to be some sort of advisor or assistant aiding team boss Jean Todt and the driver lineup. On a visit this week to Dubai, Schumacher admitted, "It's not a very clear definition made to my role in Ferrari so far, simply for the fact that I don't want it to be. "They're happy enough to leave it up to me where I want to be involved and where not, so with time that will develop," he said. Schumacher was present for the launch and first test of Ferrari's new 'F2007' car, and he may also keep an eye out for rising driver talent. The great German also made a point of publicly backing his successor, Kimi Raikkonen, who has taken some criticism for falling short of some observers' expectations for the role as Ferrari number one. "I think there are only a few drivers on the marke Read more:Schumi
Jerez Day One - Testing Times 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Circuit: Jerez
circuit - 4.423 kmDrivers: Luca Badoer and Kimi RaikkonenCars: F2007Weather: air temperature 9/18 °C, track temperature 8/25 °C. Clear skies.First day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working as from today at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in the south of Spain.On track today were Kimi Raikkonen and Luca Badoer, the latter a last minute stand-in for Felipe Massa, who has a fever. Both drivers had an F2007 at their disposal and worked on the overall development of the car.The day in figures is as follows: 85 laps for Kimi (best time 1.20.225) and 65 for Luca (1.20.662)Testing
continues at this circuit tomorrow, with Raikkonen and Massa at the wheel.DAY 1 TIMES:01. de la Rosa - Mclaren - 1:20.00102. Wurz - Williams - 1:20.03603. Kubica - BMW - 1:20.15904. Hamilton - Mclaren - 1:20.22505. Raikkonen - Ferrari - 1:20.24506. R. Schumacher - Toyota - 1:20.25407. Button - Honda - 1:20.37108. Montagny - Toyota - 1:20.40909. Rosberg - Williams - 1:20.52510. Read more:Times
Button lacks the Kimi 'spark' 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Honda's Jenson Button lacks the "spark
" that marks out potential world champions, according to Spyker technical boss Mike Gascoyne.Button has won just one race in seven seasons of Formula One - last year's rain-hit Hungarian GP - but has often been likened in ability to double world champion Fernando Alonso and Ferrari new boy and multiple race-winner Kimi Raikkonen.But that is not a view subscribed to by Gascoyne, who worked with Button at what is now Renault in 2001 and 2002, before Alonso took the Briton's seat for the 2003 campaign.Gascoyne said: "I agreed with Flavio [Briatore, team principal] when he replaced Button with Alonso."I think Alonso had the spark that made him stand out."Fernando won the championship last year when the car wasn't at times the quickest - does he [Button] have the race craft and the ability to do that? That's a question mark."Fernando you knew could do that, and Raikkonen the same"Gascoyne was also cool on the idea of Butto
Kimi to still go cursing his luck? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 source: GMMFinn Raikkonen, 27, has moved to the Maranello based team to replace the retiring Michael Schumacher, but some have suggested that he is not as complete a package as the great German. "Raikkonen went to Ferrari because his McLarens always broke down," Italian Zanardi, who last drove in formula one for Williams in 1999, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.He continued: "But now it seems like his red car is always broken and (Ron) Dennis' machines run like clockwork."Zanardi singles out reigning back to back title winner Fernando Alonso as his favourite for the 2007 season, but he also vowed to keep an eye on the Spaniard's rookie teammate."Hamilton looks fast and could make life difficult for Alonso," Zanardi predicted.www.followkimi.blogspot.com
Jerez testing : Day 2 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Circuit: Jerez
circuit - 4.423 km Drivers: Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen Cars: F2007 Weather: air temperature 8/17 °C, track temperature 8/22 °C. Clear skies in the morning, then overcast with rain in the afternoon. Second day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working again today at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in the south of Spain. Felipe Massa has recovered from a bout of 'flu that he suffered with over the past few days and he was able to join Kimi Raikkonen in working on development of the F2007. For the Finnish driver, the day was affected by a long stop, as a result of a technical problem on his car, while bad weather was also a feature, after rain began to fall from mid-afternoon onwards. The summary of the day in figures is as follows: 48 laps for Kimi (best time 1.20.007) and 46 for Felipe (1.19.647.) Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, again with Raikkonen
Kimi: New harder compound Bridgestone tyres not suiting my style 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kimi Raikkonen has admitted that the new-generation Bridgestonetyres
do not suit his driving style as well as he would like. The 2007-spec tyres are made of a harder compound
than last year's rubber following Formula 1's move into a sole tyre supplier era.BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica was the first driver to conclude that he may have to adapt his style to suit the Bridgestones following the pre-Christmas winter tests.And now Raikkonen, who has been used to Michelins at McLaren in recent years, admits he will have to work with Ferrari on adapting the set-up of the F2007 to enable him to get the best out of the new tyres.When asked at this week's Jerez test if the Bridgestones suit his driving style, Raikkonen replied: "no, not really"."I think we need to work on the car to make it work for me," he was quoted as saying by autosport.com."It is getting better all the time but it takes time to get used to [the tyres]."We still have some work to do; every day it is getting easie
Jerez testing : Day 3 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Circuit: Jerez
circuit - 4.423 kmDrivers: Felipe Massa and Kimi RaikkonenCars: F2007Weather: air temperature 16 °C, track temperature 15/16 °C. Rain and wind all day.Third and final day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working again today at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in the south of Spain. The day was affected by bad weather, with rain and wind following the drivers' progress from the morning until the end of the session. Therefore, both Raikkonen and Massa were able to work mainly on finding the best set-up for the F2007 on a wet track.The summary of the day in figures is as follows: 88 laps for Kimi (best time 1.30.565) and 48 for Felipe (1.30.689.)The Scuderia resumes testing on Monday 12th February at the Catalunya Circuit, near Barcelona: on track again will be Raikkonen and Massa.DAY 3 TIMES:01. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber - 1:29.48602. Wurz - Williams - 1:30.05103. Glock - BMW Sauber - 1:30.21304. Raikkonen - Ferrari - 1:30.62805. Barrichello - Honda - 1:
Massa to have an upper hand? 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Felipe Massa has emerged as a dark horse to win the world championship in 2007.A survey of the Italian magazine 'AutoMotoSport' revealed in a survey that seven out of ten leading grand prix personalities think reigning champion Fernando Alonso will triumph in his first season for McLaren this year. But the three remaining F1 figures - Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Alesi and even Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali - think Brazilian Massa will have the upper hand on his highly rated new teammate Kimi Raikkonen and emerge with the coveted crown.Indeed, Raikkonen hinted at his trouble to adapt to the red racer at Jerez this week when he answered "not really" to a question about whether his driving style suited the new control tyres.Racer magazine quoted F1 supremo Ecclestone as saying: "I wouldn't like to put my money on anybody, but I think if I had to, I would probably put it on Massa.""You've got to have a whole package, it's not just the driver but a package."www.followkimi.blogspot.com
Kimi Raikkonen: Bahrain the first test 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It will only be during February's test in Bahrain that the F1 teams will truly be able to measure their cars against each others, according to Kimi Raikkonen
. Although eight of the F1 teams are pitting their 2007 cars head-to-head at Jerez this week, they are doing so in cold and rainy conditions - nothing like what they have face when they get to Melbourne for the first race of the season. Raikkonen - looking forward to Bahrain. And it's because of those contrasting weather conditions that Raikkonen believes the teams have yet to truly see what their cars are capable of doing, Ferrari's new F2007 included."It is getting there but we have to wait and see in Bahrain, then we can see more," the Finn told Autosport.Asked if he was at all concerned by Ferrari's pace, he said: "It's difficult to say, we will see in the race."And that's also when Raikkonen believes we will see if McLaren really have the pace and reliability that they've demonstrated in recent test sessions.Called to Read more:first test
Alain Prost: Kimi Raikkonen will struggle with Ferrari 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Alain Prost
may have been known as "the professor" during his Formula 1 racing days, but even the four times world champion has said he's unable to predict what will happen in the 2007 season.Citing major changes — like the departure of Michael Schumacher as well as the transfer of Kimi Raikkonen
to Ferrari
and Fernando Alonso to McLaren — he claimed the year would be wide open."This will be the first year of a completely new cycle," the Frenchman said to Autosprint magazine."At the moment no one can say who will win, simply because everything has changed."Not only Schumacher isn't around anymore, but all the top drivers have changed teams."But Prost believes current world champion Alonso will fight hard for a third successive title."I see Alonso doing well at McLaren, especially for psychological reasons," he said. "Ron Dennis's team was his childhood dream, and to be able to go there with two titles on his belt will be of great motivation for him. Fernando is young, quick, an Read more:Alain
Kimi Raikkonen can win titles with Ferrari :Marc Gene 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ferrari test driver Marc Gene is confident the Scuderia will fight for this year's Championship titles even without Michael Schumacher. Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of the 2006 season after finishing runner-up to Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' Championship title.However, the Spaniard shouldn't expect an easy run to this year's trophy just because Schumacher's out of the way.In fact, Gene believes new Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen
has a chance of beating Alonso to the 2007 World title."Schumacher won so much with Ferrari that some doubt if, with Schumacher gone, Ferrari can continue in the same form," Gene told Diario As."As I see it, though, Ferrari is still Ferrari and Raikkonen is a great driver."As for concerns about the pace of the new F2007 in recent testing, Gene claims that the Scuderia's preparations for the upcoming season are more advanced than they were at this same time last year."At this time last year we were not in as strong a position as we are right now Read more:Ferrari
Barcelona Testing Times: Day 1 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ferrari had a frustrating time at Barcelona
on Monday with Feliupe Massa's F2007 catching fire and Kimi Raikkonen's car suffering electrical failure. Raikkonen was only able to complete 25 laps, clocking a best time of 1min 23.21sec, while teammate Massa, whose car caught fire on his warm up lap, stopped after 28 laps.The two drivers will be back at the circuit on Tuesday for the middle day of the three day trial ahead of the new season which opens in Melbourne on March 18.The fastest time of 1min 22.634sec was posted on Monday by the McLaren Mercedes of Pedro De La Rosa.Monday's Test Times
from Barcelona:Pos Driver Team Time Laps1. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.634 762. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.635 603. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.726 564. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:23.037 445. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:23.077 296. Räikkönen Ferrari Read more:Testing
Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari breaks down yet again.... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kimi Raikkonen's pre-season woe persisted on Wednesday when the Finn spent much of his test day in the red shod garage. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that at Jerez the 27-year-old's new 'F2007' Ferrari
broke down on the circuit with a failed engine at 1.30pm, as his teammate Felipe Massa returned from a bout of 'flu and topped the times.Mark Webber's Red Bull also ground to a halt, as did the MP4-22 occupied by world champion Fernando Alonso after a loss of oil pressure, and the red flags also waved for Ralf Schumacher's broken gearbox.It was a mostly sunny day in the south of Spain but a few drops of rain fell late in the afternoon. After Thursday's final day, the circus heads to Barcelona to run from Monday.At an icy Silverstone track on Wednesday, meanwhile, Adrian Sutil concluded Spyker's 'F8-VII' shakedown with a crash into the Copse wall after touching the grass.The German rookie escaped unhurt but the 2007 car was slightly damaged. www.followkimi.blogspot.com Read more:breaks
, Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi get a soothing words from Alonso 1970-01-01 00:59:59 AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix champion Fernando Alonso
says he does not yet have a car capable of winning next month's season-opening Formula One race at Albert Park.Despite setting the pace in testing at both Jerez last week and in Barcelona this week, Alonso says he is concerned about the McLaren's performance. The Spanish reigning world champion says at the moment the MP4-22 looks better than it goes."The times have turned out well and everyone is aware of us but the car is not ready for Australia and the days are running out," Alonso told Spain's Telecinco television channel."It is not going to win at the moment. For the time being the thing I like most about it is the colour."Alonso is looking for an improvement at Catalunya in Spain this week and will have a final hit-out in Bahrain before the Australian race on March 18.The Spaniard said he was looking for "big changes" in both the aerodynamics and engine power of the McLaren."At the moment the handling isn't right, it needs more t Read more:soothing
Webber: Schumi's shadow 'suffocating' for Kimi Raikkonen. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Mark Webber
has questioned the logic behind Michael Schumacher's appearance in the Ferrari garage at a number of pre-season Formula One tests, likening it to "having your ex-girlfriend there".The straight-talking Aussie said he was glad he was not the man in Kimi Raikkonen's position at the Scuderia, claiming filling the seven-time world champion's boots was a task intimidating and arduous enough without having the German watching over your every move too. "We know Michael couldn't have raced until he was 60, but it's odd having him at the tests like he is," Webber said. "It's like having your ex-girlfriend there or something. Kimi must be there going "what the..?' It must feel so strange having the teacher's pet standing above you when you are trying to get on with your own new programme. Suffocating or what?"The 30-year-old did add, however, he believed the sport would be far more open and competitive now following Schumacher's departure, and would allow other drivers the Read more:Schumi
Team test driver Marc Gene has attempted to calm reports that Ferrari is already struggling in the post-Schumacher era. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Michael Schumacher
has been replaced at the Italian squad by Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who many predict is not well enough equipped to fill the seven time world champion's shoes.Indeed, Raikkonen is seldom at the top of the time sheets at F1's winter group tests and is often observed encountering technical problems with his 'F2007'. Maranello based Ferrari
's long time technical director Ross Brawn, meanwhile, is taking a 'sabbatical' this year, and some observers have expressed surprise at the finer details of the team's new car for 2007.Borrowing a word from Italian, the German tabloid Bild headlined the apparent situation at Ferrari this winter as 'Kimi Catastrofe', and noted that the team may have lost direction a mere 112 days after Schumacher called it quits.Spaniard Gene, 32, told 'Diario As': "Even without Schumacher, Ferrari is still Ferrari and Raikkonen is a great driver."Some things have changed but I don't think this will make it easier for the others," he added, de
Ferrari Barcelona Test Summary 2007-02-12 1970-01-01 00:59:59 First day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari
Marlboro, working from today at the Catalunya Circuit, near Barcelona
. The F2007 did not make a very positive debut on the new layout of the Catalan track: on its installation lap, Felipe Massa's car developed an electrical problem, which provoked a small fire that led to a long stop in the pits to effect repairs. Kimi Raikkonen's car also suffered a different electrical problem, which meant he too spent a long while in the garage.Then, around lunchtime, a shower hit the track, which only started to dry after 3 in the afternoon today's technical programme was planned to include endurance testing, set-up work and development of new aerodynamic components.The summary of the day in figures is as follows: 25 laps for Kimi (best time 1:23.215) and 29 for Felipe (1:23.077.) Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, again with Raikkonen and Massa on track.Circuit: Catalunya Circuit - 4.655 kmDrivers: Felipe Massa and Kimi RaikkonenCar Read more:Summary
Massa and Kimi blitzes Barcelona day two 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ferrari rebounded from a difficult start to its Barcelona
test with a dominant performance at the Circuit de Catalunya on Tuesday. The Maranello squad finished squarely at the top of the timesheets, Felipe Massa impressively outpacing team-mate Kimi Raikkonen by more than half a second.Moreover, there was no repeat of the electrical problems that thwarted the team on Monday; Massa completed 108 laps and Raikkonen a mammoth 154 - more than two grand prix distances.Renault showed a better turn of speed than in recent tests as Heikki Kovalainen set the third fastest time and Giancarlo Fisichella wound up fifth."I managed to complete my programme today and we achieved the team's objectives for the day," reported Kovalainen, who worked on set-up development and evaluation of aerodynamic components ahead of the forthcoming Bahrain tests."We did lots of laps, collected plenty of data, and the overall result looks positive"Fisichella added: "In terms of performance, the times ar
Barcelona Day 2: Ferrari Summary 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ferrari
rebounded from a difficult start to its Barcelona
test with a dominant performance at the Circuit de Catalunya on Tuesday. The Maranello squad finished squarely at the top of the timesheets, Felipe Massa impressively outpacing team-mate Kimi Raikkonen by more than half a second. Moreover, there was no repeat of the electrical problems that thwarted the team on Monday; Massa completed 108 laps and Raikkonen a mammoth 154 - more than two grand prix distances.Read the complete story herewww.followkimi.blogspot.com Read more:Summary
Kimi Raikkonen: It's my life, my career, I'll do my own thing 1970-01-01 00:59:59 They were laying out place mats for dinner in the Ferrari motorhome when Kimi Raikkonen
finally entered. The Barcelona sky, clear blue all day, was now ebony black.Where had he been? In a detailed technical debrief. Two and a half hours after completing 154 laps of Circuit de Catalunya — more than two grands prix in a single day — this hard-partying cavalier was still locked in discussions. Are we to take the Finn's painstaking approach as a sign that he will replicate the model of Teutonic dedication and attention to detail laid down by his legendary predecessor, Michael Schumacher?The word from within Ferrari is that Raikkonen is giving 100 per cent, but in his own way. It's only to be expected. As a new signing, he hasn't had the opportunity to develop the same brotherly rapport with the team that Schumacher did so successfully over 11 seasons.Comparisons with the seven-time world champion are inevitable, but Raikkonen has no time for them. He will do what he sees as necessar
Raikkonen: Ferrari in a pretty good position 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kimi Raikkonen believes Ferrari
are in a strong position
ahead of the start of the 2007 season, but the Finn reckons it's hard to judge their pace just by testing.Ferrari have been, along with rivals McLaren, among the fastest and more consistent runners during pre-season testing, leaving Raikkonen upbeat about their form. The Finn is also cautious, though. You can't tell until you've run on different tracks and until the Ferrari is in its final configuration. But we are in a good position," Raikkonen told Gazzetta dello Sport following this week's test at Barcelona.The Finn added: "To win it you need every element sorted out. I want to win it for myself and for the team. It's not the pressure from outside pushing me to do more."Raikkonen was joined by Michael Schumacher, the man he is replacing at Ferrari, during the final day of testing yesterday."We exchanged a few words, we didn't have much time," he added. "I had to get back to work on the track. I didn't even know he would
Kimi Raikkonen tells again of Bahrain. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A truer picture of each team's competitiveness will be drawn at the upcoming Bahrain tests, according to Kimi Raikkonen
.Some observers think the Finn's new Ferrari moved closer - and perhaps even clear of - the dominant McLarens at the Barcelona test this week. BMW, Renault and even Red Bull have also appeared to be in good shape around the Circuit de Catalunya, which is traditionally a significant winter test.But Raikkonen, 27, observed on Wednesday: "We will see how it really looks at the next test, where everyone will have new things for their cars."Ferrari, for example, ran several new pieces at Barcelona but are expected to fit an updated suspension specification at the inaugural Bahrain test.Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa said in Barcelona: "Our new front and rear wings have moved us forwards quite a lot."Bahrain, staging six days of running starting late next week, is the last pre-season stop before the Australian grand prix."It will be a crucial test," Raikkonen emphasise Read more:tells
Kimi Raikkonen & Ferrari rubbish 'Schumacher for team boss' reports 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ferrari have dismissed speculation Michael Schumacher
is being groomed to take over as team boss. Head start: Schumacher back with Ferrari Reports in Germany suggested the seven-time world champion, who is involved in Ferrari's preparations for the 2007 season, had opened talks with the Italian team. But Ferrari's communications manager Luca Colajanni said: "Michael is clearly involved with the team, but this report is nonsense."The 38-year-old drove for Ferrari for 11 years before retiring at the end of the 2006 season. He won five world titles in a row from 2000.Schumacher has had all test data and times communicated to him at home, and has been charged with helping his successor, Kimi Raikkonen
, settle into his new team.www.followkimi.blogspot.com Read more:Ferrari
, rubbish
Jacques attacks Kimi Raikkonen 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Former World Champion Jacques
Villeneuve has launched a scathing attack on the attitude of Kimi Raikkonen
and the ability of Giancarlo Fisichella. Famed for his outspokenness, Villeneuve is in particularly feisty mood for his appraisal of the 2007 grid in the latest edition of F1 Racing Magazine. However, it's Villeneuve's denouncement of Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher's replacement at Ferrari, as "overrated as a driver package" that will capture the most attention.According to the French/Canadian, Raikkonen isn't on a par with World Champion Fernando Alonso because of his slovenly work ethic. "Apart from jumping in a car and going fast, he really doesn't care about the rest," declares Jacques. "A complete driver will spend time with the engineers, setting up the team and pushing the team. He doesn't give a s**t, so he isn't up there with Alonso."The deficiency is so damaging, claims Villeneuve, that both Jenson Button and Felipe Massa will offer Alonso a tougher fight for the Wo Read more:attacks
Kimi Raikkonen says Schumi not a distraction 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Kimi Raikkonen has given pause to the concept that a new close collaboration with Michael Schumacher may charge Ferrari towards victory in 2007.The retired seven time world champion has stayed at the Italian squad as a sort of advisor this year, but Finn Raikkonen played down the relationship they are likely to share. "We never really spoke to each other in the past, because we were rivals," Raikkonen, 27, told the French sports newspaper L'Equipe.He added: "And now? I am not exactly sure what Michael does. If we have something to discuss with each other, we will discuss it, but I don't know. We'll see."Mark Webber said recently that he would not personally condone Schumacher's presence in his own driving garage, but Raikkonen denied that it bothers him."When you are in formula one, everyone is watching you, so whether Michael is there or not is not going to distract me."After Schumacher visited the Ferrari garage at Barcelona this week, Raikkonen added: "It was nice that he was Read more:distraction
, Kimi Raikkonen
, Schumi
The first few races to be crucial for Kimi Raikkonen 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Quadruple former world champion Alain Prost thinks McLaren might have its nose in front ahead of the battle for the 2007 title.The 51-year-old Frenchman drove for all three top teams during his illustrious career but has tipped the Woking based squad to triumph this year over likely rivals Ferrari and Renault."Making predictions before the season has even started is never easy," Prost told reporters at a press conference in Lisbon, "but I can imagine the championship being fought between Ferrari and McLaren."He observed that McLaren and Fernando Alonso seem "very strong" on the winter test tracks and wondered whether Finn Kimi Raikkonen
would have "some difficulty" integrating himself at Ferrari."The beginning of the season could be crucial for him. If he finds himself behind (Felipe) Massa then he could find himself in a difficult situation," said Prost.Alain Prost also observed that Renault appear to be "a step" behind the aforementioned pair.www.followkimi.blogspot.com
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