People say that money does not bring happiness, but when looking at rich Finns one tends to realise that it does not always bring opinions, either. However, if one has nothing to say, maybe it is better to remain silent.
This wisdom has been absorbed at least by Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen, number one driver among the new rich of the nation.
[via Helsingin Sanomat]
This wisdom has been absorbed at least by Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen, number one driver among the new rich of the nation.
[via Helsingin Sanomat]
1/30/2009 09:49:00 p.m.
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The former F1-driver Mika Salo doesn't have to think for long when he was asked about the biggest WDC-favourite when looking at the beginning formula season.
- I predict Kimi to be number 1. The fight will be between Kimi and Hamilton next year too, Salo predicts.
Salo doesn't believe that Felipe Massa could stand up to Räikkönen in the Ferrari-team.
- Kimi is motivated and the last season must have annoyed him. I'm surprised that Massa could drive for even one season as good as he drove last year. When it comes to speed Kimi is clearly ahead of Massa if everything is in order, Salo knows.
Heikki Kovalainen's situation in the McLaren-team makes Salo wonder.
- Heikki has a good team behind him but unfortunately there is also a WDC in the team who has a huge self-confidence. Heikki has to beat Hamilton before he can even dream about winning, Salo reminded.
Salo hopes that Kovalainen wouldn't be put in the 2nd driver's position in McLaren.
- Although it's not a bad position in McLaren to be the 2nd driver. Heikki has to be ready to win if Hamilton has a DNF. Last year it only happened once even though there would have been many other opportunities to win races, Salo said.
[via MTV3]
- I predict Kimi to be number 1. The fight will be between Kimi and Hamilton next year too, Salo predicts.
Salo doesn't believe that Felipe Massa could stand up to Räikkönen in the Ferrari-team.
- Kimi is motivated and the last season must have annoyed him. I'm surprised that Massa could drive for even one season as good as he drove last year. When it comes to speed Kimi is clearly ahead of Massa if everything is in order, Salo knows.
Heikki Kovalainen's situation in the McLaren-team makes Salo wonder.
- Heikki has a good team behind him but unfortunately there is also a WDC in the team who has a huge self-confidence. Heikki has to beat Hamilton before he can even dream about winning, Salo reminded.
Salo hopes that Kovalainen wouldn't be put in the 2nd driver's position in McLaren.
- Although it's not a bad position in McLaren to be the 2nd driver. Heikki has to be ready to win if Hamilton has a DNF. Last year it only happened once even though there would have been many other opportunities to win races, Salo said.
[via MTV3]
1/29/2009 10:12:00 p.m.
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There are reports in Germany this morning that Kimi Raikkonen has signed an option to join Ferrari in 2007. This option is almost certainly dependent on whether or not Michael Schumacher is still with the team or whether the German retires or moves to another F1 operation. The signs are that Schumacher will not retire and, given a story in the same newspaper on the previous day, wants more money from Ferrari. This suggestion would seem to negate the second story as Raikkonen is unlikely to go to Ferrari while Michael is still there.
What is clear from all of this is that the leaks in the German press are part of the negotiating process but what is not clear is who is leaking what to whom. What it all means is probably not yet decided but the stories are designed to sway the opinions of those involved. It could be that Ferrari does not want to pay Michael what he wants and so is leaking Raikkonen stories. At the same time stories linking Michael with McLaren could be just scare tactics to get Ferrari to cough up.
When a deal is done we will know.
It is worth noting that back in July, Ron Dennis made the point of telling the F1 media that Kimi Raikkonen would be best served staying where he is as most of the World Champions in the last 20 years have been successful because they have not jumped around between the teams. This is a fair point, but why did Ron feel the need to mention it?
[source]
What is clear from all of this is that the leaks in the German press are part of the negotiating process but what is not clear is who is leaking what to whom. What it all means is probably not yet decided but the stories are designed to sway the opinions of those involved. It could be that Ferrari does not want to pay Michael what he wants and so is leaking Raikkonen stories. At the same time stories linking Michael with McLaren could be just scare tactics to get Ferrari to cough up.
When a deal is done we will know.
It is worth noting that back in July, Ron Dennis made the point of telling the F1 media that Kimi Raikkonen would be best served staying where he is as most of the World Champions in the last 20 years have been successful because they have not jumped around between the teams. This is a fair point, but why did Ron feel the need to mention it?
[source]
1/28/2009 10:16:00 p.m.
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[via TaniaS]
1/27/2009 10:37:00 p.m.
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Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen swapped tarmac for snow at the weekend as he made his debut in the punishing Arctic Lapland Rally. Fellow Finns Mika Hakkinen and Mika Salo were among the other Formula One names taking part.
Raikkonen looked very much at home in the freezing conditions. Along with co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, he steered his Fiat Grande Punto S2000 to 13th place overall, finishing the three-day event in a total time of 2h, 7m, 48s, less than 10 minutes down on winner Juha Salo.
Hakkinen was not far behind. The former double world champion, at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, came home 19th in what was his fourth appearance in the rally. Salo was less fortunate, retiring his similar Mitsubishi with technical problems.
[via f1.com]
Raikkonen looked very much at home in the freezing conditions. Along with co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, he steered his Fiat Grande Punto S2000 to 13th place overall, finishing the three-day event in a total time of 2h, 7m, 48s, less than 10 minutes down on winner Juha Salo.
Hakkinen was not far behind. The former double world champion, at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, came home 19th in what was his fourth appearance in the rally. Salo was less fortunate, retiring his similar Mitsubishi with technical problems.
[via f1.com]
1/26/2009 11:22:00 p.m.
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1/25/2009 10:39:00 p.m.
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1/24/2009 10:30:00 p.m.
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Kimi Räikkönen will try his hand at a different sport when he competes in the Arctic Lapland Rally.
This year’s Arctic Lapland Rally will see F1 champion Kimi Räikkönen make his debut in rally racing. Räikkönen will swap his sleek F1 Ferrari for a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000. His wingman in the arctic race will be Kaj Lindström. Lindström has been a co-driver for four-time rally world champion Tommi Mäkinen.
The 44th Arctic Lapland Rally will also see the return of former F1 driver, 1998 and 1999 champion, Mika Häkki- nen. He has raced in the Arctic Lapland Rally three times before, in 2003, 2004 and 2006. This year he will be driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 with Ilkka Kivimäki as co-driver.
Finnish F1 drivers seem to really enjoy racing rally cars in ice and snow, since this year’s entrants also include Mika Salo and JJ Lehto. All Finnish former F1 drivers taking part in the Arctic Lapland Rally will be driving with the same car, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9. Salo’s co-driver is Mika Ovaskainen, while JJ Lehto will have Jari Jyrkiäinen as his.
With this year’s F1 season starting at the end of March, many teams wouldn’t allow their drivers to take part in dangerous activities such as rallying in freezing weather conditions, but Ferrari's team boss Stefano Domenicali thinks differently. He sees the arctic rally as two extra days of testing for Räikkönen.
The race takes place on 22-24 January in the terrain near Rovaniemi.
[via helsinki times]
This year’s Arctic Lapland Rally will see F1 champion Kimi Räikkönen make his debut in rally racing. Räikkönen will swap his sleek F1 Ferrari for a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000. His wingman in the arctic race will be Kaj Lindström. Lindström has been a co-driver for four-time rally world champion Tommi Mäkinen.
The 44th Arctic Lapland Rally will also see the return of former F1 driver, 1998 and 1999 champion, Mika Häkki- nen. He has raced in the Arctic Lapland Rally three times before, in 2003, 2004 and 2006. This year he will be driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 with Ilkka Kivimäki as co-driver.
Finnish F1 drivers seem to really enjoy racing rally cars in ice and snow, since this year’s entrants also include Mika Salo and JJ Lehto. All Finnish former F1 drivers taking part in the Arctic Lapland Rally will be driving with the same car, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9. Salo’s co-driver is Mika Ovaskainen, while JJ Lehto will have Jari Jyrkiäinen as his.
With this year’s F1 season starting at the end of March, many teams wouldn’t allow their drivers to take part in dangerous activities such as rallying in freezing weather conditions, but Ferrari's team boss Stefano Domenicali thinks differently. He sees the arctic rally as two extra days of testing for Räikkönen.
The race takes place on 22-24 January in the terrain near Rovaniemi.
[via helsinki times]
1/23/2009 11:19:00 p.m.
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Kimi Raikkonen has no complaints with Ferrari's KERS despite the Italian outfit stating they are behind schedule with the device.
This year's championship sees the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) into Formula One. However, some teams are not too happy with the idea.
While Ferrari and Williams have both already revealed they may not use it at the start of the season, Renault have slammed the use of the device as a 'terrible mistake.'
Raikkonen, though, says he no complaints with KERS after testing it for the first time at Mugello earlier this week.
"Both days the use of KERS had positive results," the Finn told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "The system works well like every other new component."
But despite being satisfied with Ferrari's progress, Raikkonen does not believe KERS will have as big an impact as the powers-that-be had hoped.
"You have more power but for such a short time that I think it won't change things much," he added. "Maybe it's an interesting invention, but I don't think it's decisive."
[via sky-sports]
This year's championship sees the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) into Formula One. However, some teams are not too happy with the idea.
While Ferrari and Williams have both already revealed they may not use it at the start of the season, Renault have slammed the use of the device as a 'terrible mistake.'
Raikkonen, though, says he no complaints with KERS after testing it for the first time at Mugello earlier this week.
"Both days the use of KERS had positive results," the Finn told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "The system works well like every other new component."
But despite being satisfied with Ferrari's progress, Raikkonen does not believe KERS will have as big an impact as the powers-that-be had hoped.
"You have more power but for such a short time that I think it won't change things much," he added. "Maybe it's an interesting invention, but I don't think it's decisive."
[via sky-sports]
1/22/2009 11:10:00 p.m.
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ROME - FORMER world champion Kimi Raikkonen complained that rain had hampered his testing of the new F60 Ferrari on Tuesday but said he was still satisfied with his run out.
It was the second day running at the famous Mugello track just outside Florence that Raikkonen had to battle the elements as well as all the new changes to the car implemented at the behest of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
He did at least manage to improve on the previous day though, setting a best time of 1min 33.92sec over his 42 laps compared with 1:34.43 the previous day when he completed 54 circuits.
'It's always nice to drive a new car for the first time,' said the 2007 world champion.
'Unfortunately because of the weather we were not able to push to the limit, but these things happen'.
'All the same, first impressions are positive and, above all, it's important that we didn't have any particular technical problems.'
One of the main uncertainties ahead of the new season is the new Kers system, designed to recuperate kinetic energy.
'Already on the first day the Kers gave positive outcomes,' added the Finn.
Raikkonen's Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa will take over the testing reins on Wednesday and Thursday hoping for better weather.
[via AFP]
It was the second day running at the famous Mugello track just outside Florence that Raikkonen had to battle the elements as well as all the new changes to the car implemented at the behest of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
He did at least manage to improve on the previous day though, setting a best time of 1min 33.92sec over his 42 laps compared with 1:34.43 the previous day when he completed 54 circuits.
'It's always nice to drive a new car for the first time,' said the 2007 world champion.
'Unfortunately because of the weather we were not able to push to the limit, but these things happen'.
'All the same, first impressions are positive and, above all, it's important that we didn't have any particular technical problems.'
One of the main uncertainties ahead of the new season is the new Kers system, designed to recuperate kinetic energy.
'Already on the first day the Kers gave positive outcomes,' added the Finn.
Raikkonen's Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa will take over the testing reins on Wednesday and Thursday hoping for better weather.
[via AFP]
1/21/2009 11:12:00 p.m.
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1/20/2009 10:31:00 p.m.
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1/19/2009 10:20:00 p.m.
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Remember and laugh:
There are rumours kicking around at the moment that Kimi Raikkonen is close to agreeing a deal to race for Renault in 2007 and 2008. The team has already signed up Giancarlo Fisichella and with strong rumours from Italy that Michael Schumacher has agreed to a new two-year deal with Ferrari, it is likely that Raikkonen will now either stay where he is at McLaren, alongside Fernando Alonso, or move across to take Alonso's drive at Renault. Running a Raikkonen-Alonso duo would be expensive for McLaren with a total driver budget (including testers) of around $45m, an increase of around $10m on this year's costs.
However, the stories of a Raikkonen offer from Renault suggest a three-year deal worth only $63m. This does not sound like a very attractive deal, given that Raikkonen is currently earning that sort of money at McLaren and was looking for a serious hike in salary in 2007 and that Michael Schumacher will probably be leaving Ferrari at the end of 2008, and raikkonen wants to be available when that happens. It may also not be possible to do such a deal as Ferrari may have first option on Raikkonen's services for the year's ahead. A two-year deal thus makes more sense for Raikkonen.
All of this is not very cheery news for Heikki Kovalainen who was hoping to step up to become a Renault F1 racer in 2007 after a year testing for the team. If Fisichella and Raikkonen are signed there will be no room for him. He might land a drive elsewhere but moving straight into the Renault team, as Fernando Alonso did, would be a much better option for the young Finn.
[source]
There are rumours kicking around at the moment that Kimi Raikkonen is close to agreeing a deal to race for Renault in 2007 and 2008. The team has already signed up Giancarlo Fisichella and with strong rumours from Italy that Michael Schumacher has agreed to a new two-year deal with Ferrari, it is likely that Raikkonen will now either stay where he is at McLaren, alongside Fernando Alonso, or move across to take Alonso's drive at Renault. Running a Raikkonen-Alonso duo would be expensive for McLaren with a total driver budget (including testers) of around $45m, an increase of around $10m on this year's costs.
However, the stories of a Raikkonen offer from Renault suggest a three-year deal worth only $63m. This does not sound like a very attractive deal, given that Raikkonen is currently earning that sort of money at McLaren and was looking for a serious hike in salary in 2007 and that Michael Schumacher will probably be leaving Ferrari at the end of 2008, and raikkonen wants to be available when that happens. It may also not be possible to do such a deal as Ferrari may have first option on Raikkonen's services for the year's ahead. A two-year deal thus makes more sense for Raikkonen.
All of this is not very cheery news for Heikki Kovalainen who was hoping to step up to become a Renault F1 racer in 2007 after a year testing for the team. If Fisichella and Raikkonen are signed there will be no room for him. He might land a drive elsewhere but moving straight into the Renault team, as Fernando Alonso did, would be a much better option for the young Finn.
[source]
1/18/2009 10:14:00 p.m.
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Madonna di Campiglio (Italy): After disappointingly missing out on the drivers' title in 2008, Ferrari are now looking forward to the new season.
Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are enjoying the constructor's annual winter retreat in the Italian Alps, ahead of the season these days.
With new technical specifications in 2009 designed to make the sport more competitive, the two drivers know the importance of a good start.
"I was actually quite nicely surprised. It didn't look similar to some other cars that I saw last year. It didn't look too much different apart from the rear wing and the front wing. Otherwise it's a nice looking car and hopefully we'll get good results with it," said Raikkonen.
Ferrari launched their new car new car F60 for the 2009 season a few days ago.
[via ibnlive]
Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are enjoying the constructor's annual winter retreat in the Italian Alps, ahead of the season these days.
With new technical specifications in 2009 designed to make the sport more competitive, the two drivers know the importance of a good start.
"I was actually quite nicely surprised. It didn't look similar to some other cars that I saw last year. It didn't look too much different apart from the rear wing and the front wing. Otherwise it's a nice looking car and hopefully we'll get good results with it," said Raikkonen.
Ferrari launched their new car new car F60 for the 2009 season a few days ago.
[via ibnlive]
1/17/2009 09:51:00 p.m.
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Kimi Räikkönen wishes to drive for Ferrari for the remainder of his Formula One career.
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has said that Räikkönen often seems as if he is “on his own planet”. But even Domenicali’s comments do not stir the Finn.
[via Helsingin Sanomat]
“This will probably be the last team I race for”, Räikkönen revealed at Ferrari's annual winter retreat in Italy's Madonna di Campiglio.Räikkönen also said that the persistent rumours that Fernando Alonso might switch from Renault to Ferrari do not bother him.
"I don't want to go elsewhere. I'm happy where I am and I have another two years on my contract", Räikkönen said.
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has said that Räikkönen often seems as if he is “on his own planet”. But even Domenicali’s comments do not stir the Finn.
”It does not bother me. The important thing is that I’m here”, Räikkönen said in affirming his current location.
[via Helsingin Sanomat]
1/16/2009 09:31:00 p.m.
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The bad news for Lewis Hamilton is that Kimi Raikkonen claims the 'hunger' is back. The good news is that no one, perhaps not even Kimi himself, knows whether his appetite is for real.
At his most famished, Ferrari's flying Finn could elbow Lewis out of the way and chomp his way to a second drivers' title in three years. But then again, if last season is anything to go by he may lose interest by the time the starters are cleared away and slope out of the restaurant via the kitchens.
Raikkonen is one of F1's great enigmas. Supremely quick behind a steering wheel, he is positively ponderous when a dictaphone is thrust under his nose. But although he may be determinedly monosyllabic in interview, he can also let his hair down spectacularly when away from the circuit.
In 2005 he got into hot water with former team McLaren Mercedes after allegedly launching into his own strip show at Mayfair gentleman's club "For Your Eyes Only" and he has tried his hand at everything from snowmobiles to powerboats. He once won a powerboat race in the Finnish city of Hanko dressed in a gorilla suit under the pseudonym 'James Hunt', the 1976 world champion whose playboy lifestyle he is often accused of emulating.
Later this month Ferrari are letting him drive a Fiat Punto in the Arctic Lapland Rally. He admits it is an area he enjoys and would like to do more of. You get the idea.
[more via The Telegraph]
1/15/2009 10:46:00 p.m.
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Does Kimi Raikkonen's participation in the upcoming Arctic Lapland Rally hint at what the 2007 Formula 1 Champion may be doing after his F1 career?
The 2008 F1 season was rocky for Kimi Raikkonen; he not only struggled to win but also had a crisis regarding his future.
During the summer months, there were many rumors that Raikkonen was going to up and leave his current career for either something he was passionate about, or leave racing altogetherWhile many speculated as to his future, Ford M-Sport director Malcolm Wilson even offered Raikkonen a testing session in the Ford Focus WRC car.
In June 2008, Bleacher Report Analyst James Walker wrote an article regarding a possible future for Raikkonen in rally racing.
Raikkonen has admitted that he still has not competed seriously in a rally, but in an interview with Fox Sports stated, "at some time, I want to try rallying. That interests me."
Now with Raikkonen entering into his first rally, with countryman Mikka Hakkinen, a future in rallying may be very real.
With his deal with Ferrari ending after the 2009 season, Kimi's admitted lack of interest in the series may compound to a switch into the World Rally Championship (WRC) or up-and-coming Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC).
[via BleacherReport]
1/14/2009 10:51:00 p.m.
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Kimi Raikkonen has said he is keen to put his disappointing 2008 campaign behind him and focus his attention instead on winning this year's World Championship.
The Finn struggled in making his title defence last year, winning just two races and only narrowly beating Robert Kubica to third place in the Drivers' Championship.
With Felipe Massa in contrast battling with Lewis Hamilton to the last corner of the last race in Brazil, Raikkonen found himself in the unusual position of supporting his team-mate's title bid.
Indeed, such was his malaise mid-season that it was even suggested that Raikkonen might be on the verge of retirement.
However, his form improved somewhat towards the end of the season and Raikkonen is now hoping that it will be a case of 'business as usual' in 2009.
Question mark
"Last year was not exactly what I wanted but that is in the past now and we will try again this year," he said at Monday's launch of the new Ferrari F60.
"Of course it is a big question mark how good the car will be because the rules have changed a lot.
"But we are very confident that the car should be very good and we will see in the next few weeks how good it is against the others.
"But for sure we'll try to win the world championships, but we'll see how it is and we'll go from there."
Raikkonen also conceded that it might take some time to adjust to the new-look car, which features a long, low front wing and a short, high rear wing in keeping with this season's new rules.
"It looks different because of the new regulations, but after looking at it for a little while you get used to it," he added.
"It looks different but it looks very good. I'm looking forward to see it run and see how it goes."
[via sky sports]
The Finn struggled in making his title defence last year, winning just two races and only narrowly beating Robert Kubica to third place in the Drivers' Championship.
With Felipe Massa in contrast battling with Lewis Hamilton to the last corner of the last race in Brazil, Raikkonen found himself in the unusual position of supporting his team-mate's title bid.
Indeed, such was his malaise mid-season that it was even suggested that Raikkonen might be on the verge of retirement.
However, his form improved somewhat towards the end of the season and Raikkonen is now hoping that it will be a case of 'business as usual' in 2009.
Question mark
"Last year was not exactly what I wanted but that is in the past now and we will try again this year," he said at Monday's launch of the new Ferrari F60.
"Of course it is a big question mark how good the car will be because the rules have changed a lot.
"But we are very confident that the car should be very good and we will see in the next few weeks how good it is against the others.
"But for sure we'll try to win the world championships, but we'll see how it is and we'll go from there."
Raikkonen also conceded that it might take some time to adjust to the new-look car, which features a long, low front wing and a short, high rear wing in keeping with this season's new rules.
"It looks different because of the new regulations, but after looking at it for a little while you get used to it," he added.
"It looks different but it looks very good. I'm looking forward to see it run and see how it goes."
[via sky sports]
1/13/2009 09:55:00 p.m.
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Kimi Raikkonen is set to swap his Ferrari Formula One car for a Fiat rally car when he takes on this year's Arctic Lapland Rally.
The 2007 F1 world champion will begin the event, which takes place in the freezing cold conditions of Northern Finland, for the first time this year.
Raikkonen and co-driver Kaj Lindstrom will be driving a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000 in the rally, which runs from January 22nd to the 24th.
The Finn will not be the only F1 name in the mix as reports indicate former world champion Mika Hakkinen will also be competing.
[via Fox News]
1/12/2009 09:46:00 p.m.
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1/11/2009 10:02:00 p.m.
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The former 'Voice Of F1' Murray Walker has slated Kimi Raikkonen's lack of success in 2008, saying that Finn did a sub-standard job.
He claimed just two wins the entire campaign and in fact struggled to even make it onto the podium as he battled to get a handle on the characteristics of the Ferrari F208.
However, while some may give him some leeway, Walker reckons Raikkonen did not do the job he is paid rather well to do.
"He was on a roll after 2007 when he was world champion in his first year with a new team," said Walker.
"The conventional wisdom is that Raikkonen lost the Championship because he couldn't handle the understeering characteristic of the Ferrari, but that's his job.
"It's his job to master it and he's paid Ł20 million a year or something like that. Well, I'm very sorry for him, but it is his job and he didn't come up to snuff.
"(Felipe) Massa grasped the opportunity and blew him away, all credit to him."
[via planet f1]
Having won the World title in 2007 Raikkonen was tipped as the favourite to retain the crown last season, however, he failed to live up the billing.
He claimed just two wins the entire campaign and in fact struggled to even make it onto the podium as he battled to get a handle on the characteristics of the Ferrari F208.
However, while some may give him some leeway, Walker reckons Raikkonen did not do the job he is paid rather well to do.
"He was on a roll after 2007 when he was world champion in his first year with a new team," said Walker.
"The conventional wisdom is that Raikkonen lost the Championship because he couldn't handle the understeering characteristic of the Ferrari, but that's his job.
"It's his job to master it and he's paid Ł20 million a year or something like that. Well, I'm very sorry for him, but it is his job and he didn't come up to snuff.
"(Felipe) Massa grasped the opportunity and blew him away, all credit to him."
[via planet f1]
1/10/2009 10:59:00 p.m.
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Former world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Mika Hakkinen are no strangers to the pressures of Formula One racing, but the Finnish pair are preparing to sample a different motorsport challenge later this month, after agreeing to compete in this year’s arduous Arctic Lapland Rally.
For Ferrari driver Raikkonen this year’s rally will be his first and for his debut the 29 year-old will race a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000, alongside co-driver Kaj Lindstrom. Hakkinen, who contested the rally in 2003, 2004 and 2006, will be at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9, together with Ilkka Kivimaki.
This year's staging of the annual event, which sees top drivers tackle freezing weather conditions as they race around Northern Finland in the heart of the Arctic Circle, will take place from January 22-24. Previous winners include former world rally champions Marcus Gronholm, Tommi Makinen and Hannu Mikkola.
[via F1]
For Ferrari driver Raikkonen this year’s rally will be his first and for his debut the 29 year-old will race a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000, alongside co-driver Kaj Lindstrom. Hakkinen, who contested the rally in 2003, 2004 and 2006, will be at the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9, together with Ilkka Kivimaki.
This year's staging of the annual event, which sees top drivers tackle freezing weather conditions as they race around Northern Finland in the heart of the Arctic Circle, will take place from January 22-24. Previous winners include former world rally champions Marcus Gronholm, Tommi Makinen and Hannu Mikkola.
[via F1]
1/09/2009 09:36:00 p.m.
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In spite of his publicity-shy nature, Kimi Raikkonen has been in the spotlight ever since his controversial arrival on the Formula One grid back in 2001.
Peter Sauber surprised the world of F1 when he announced that he had offered the 21-year-old Finn a race deal for the following season on provision that he was handed the necessary FIA superlicence.
Having competed in just 23 car races, Raikkonen became one of the least experienced drivers ever to enter F1, but immediately delivered impressive testing performances to justify the Swiss team's faith in him.
Earlier in his career, his international results in karting were the best ever achieved by a Finnish driver, and he went on to further impress by winning the 2000 British Formula Renault Championship after taking seven wins in 10 races.
Although he met with opposition from F1 drivers wary of accepting a driver on the grid with even less experience than Jenson Button the year before him, Raikkonen proved his critics wrong.
His debut season with Sauber was sensational, the apparently ice-cool youngster proving within just a handful of races that he was a special talent.
By the time Mika Hakkinen told McLaren boss Ron Dennis that he was thinking of taking a sabbatical in 2002, the race was on to sign the younger Finn.
McLaren and Ferrari both wanted his services, but Kimi was swayed by the fact that if he drove for Ferrari he'd be number two to Michael Schumacher while at McLaren he would be allowed to win.
His 2002 season was also electric, but an underpowered McLaren on less than perfect Michelins meant he was rarely able to challenge for the lead. Although he didn't outscore team-mate David Coulthard, he regularly outqualified him. It was only due to the team's very 'un-McLaren-like' poor reliability that he didn't finish any higher than sixth place overall with 24 points.
The low point of his year came when he led the French Grand Prix with two laps left before sliding wide on oil left by Allan McNish's retiring Toyota. Marshals had failed to put warning oil flags out and the Finn was left with the sight of Michael Schumacher squeezing past him and claiming his fifth world title in the process.
Yet his first win wasn't long in coming and with McLaren beginning the 2003 season in dominant fashion, Raikkonen took the chequered flag at the Malaysian GP, the second race of the campaign.
A string of podium finishes followed, and at the halfway stage of the campaign Raikkonen was leading the drivers' standings.
However, McLaren were falling behind both Williams and Ferrari at this stage and it was only Raikkonen's tenacity and ability to steadily accumulate points which kept him in the hunt.
The Championship fight went to the wire in Japan, but a win for Rubens Barrichello guaranteed another title for Ferrari team-mate Schumacher.
Hopes were high that Kimi could go one better in 2004 but the Finn was expressing concerns about their new MP4-19 chassis before the season had even started.
He was proved correct and McLaren went on to endure a woeful season. The team eventually unveiled a replacement, yet it was too late to save their season.
Still, the MP4-19B did restore some pride within the team and also enabled Kimi to score his second grand prix victory, a stunning drive at the Belgian GP which left Schumacher trailing in his wake.
2005 was a bitter-sweet season for Kimi during which he experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.
While the Finn had the fastest car on the grid, it was unfortunately powered by a temperamental Mercedes engine. Despite seven grand prix wins and an additional five podium finishes, he eventually had to settle for second place behind Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' Championship.
Remaining with McLaren-Mercedes in 2006, the team had one more season to hand the World title to Kimi. They couldn't. In fact, they couldn't even hand him one single race win.
Despite claiming two pole positions and three fastest race lap times, the Finn struggled to get on the podium, claiming just six top-three finishers, none of which was a P1.
Raikkonen finished the year fifth in the Drivers' Championship and, his impending arrival at Ferrari having been announced at the Italian GP moments after Michael Schumacher's retirement, he departed McLaren at the end of the season.
He started 2007 with a bang, dominating the season-opening Australian GP.
But his form spluttered soon afterwards as he battled with both reliability gremlins and the occasional driver error.
He fought back in style at the French GP where he claimed his second win of the season, which he followed up seven days later with another in Britain.
A retirement in Germany saw his Championship challenge again lose momentum, although a string of six podium finishes, including two race wins, saw Raikkonen entering the last race of the season trailing Championship leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points.
And to the surprise of many, the Ferrari driver pulled it off - Raikkonen taking victory in the Brazilian GP with Hamilton able to finish only seventh.
However, Raikkonen's title defence proved less than impressive, a lack of pace - particularly in qualifying - begetting at times a lack of motivation.
Two wins the opening four races saw Raikkonen firmly in the hunt for the crown, however, his victory in Spain at the end of April would be his final win of the season.
Bad luck also played a part - Hamilton hit Raikkonen from behind in the pit lane at the Canadian GP, a broken exhaust cost him victory in France and the wrong call on tyres put paid to his hopes at Silverstone.
His performances improved after he reverted to an older version of Ferrari's F2008 late in the season but the general impression was that Raikkonen's driving lacked the spark of 2007.
Raikkonen eventually finished a disappointing campaign down in third place, Ferrari nevertheless extending his contract to the end of 2010.
[via Sky Sports]
Peter Sauber surprised the world of F1 when he announced that he had offered the 21-year-old Finn a race deal for the following season on provision that he was handed the necessary FIA superlicence.
Having competed in just 23 car races, Raikkonen became one of the least experienced drivers ever to enter F1, but immediately delivered impressive testing performances to justify the Swiss team's faith in him.
Earlier in his career, his international results in karting were the best ever achieved by a Finnish driver, and he went on to further impress by winning the 2000 British Formula Renault Championship after taking seven wins in 10 races.
Although he met with opposition from F1 drivers wary of accepting a driver on the grid with even less experience than Jenson Button the year before him, Raikkonen proved his critics wrong.
His debut season with Sauber was sensational, the apparently ice-cool youngster proving within just a handful of races that he was a special talent.
By the time Mika Hakkinen told McLaren boss Ron Dennis that he was thinking of taking a sabbatical in 2002, the race was on to sign the younger Finn.
McLaren and Ferrari both wanted his services, but Kimi was swayed by the fact that if he drove for Ferrari he'd be number two to Michael Schumacher while at McLaren he would be allowed to win.
His 2002 season was also electric, but an underpowered McLaren on less than perfect Michelins meant he was rarely able to challenge for the lead. Although he didn't outscore team-mate David Coulthard, he regularly outqualified him. It was only due to the team's very 'un-McLaren-like' poor reliability that he didn't finish any higher than sixth place overall with 24 points.
The low point of his year came when he led the French Grand Prix with two laps left before sliding wide on oil left by Allan McNish's retiring Toyota. Marshals had failed to put warning oil flags out and the Finn was left with the sight of Michael Schumacher squeezing past him and claiming his fifth world title in the process.
Yet his first win wasn't long in coming and with McLaren beginning the 2003 season in dominant fashion, Raikkonen took the chequered flag at the Malaysian GP, the second race of the campaign.
A string of podium finishes followed, and at the halfway stage of the campaign Raikkonen was leading the drivers' standings.
However, McLaren were falling behind both Williams and Ferrari at this stage and it was only Raikkonen's tenacity and ability to steadily accumulate points which kept him in the hunt.
The Championship fight went to the wire in Japan, but a win for Rubens Barrichello guaranteed another title for Ferrari team-mate Schumacher.
Hopes were high that Kimi could go one better in 2004 but the Finn was expressing concerns about their new MP4-19 chassis before the season had even started.
He was proved correct and McLaren went on to endure a woeful season. The team eventually unveiled a replacement, yet it was too late to save their season.
Still, the MP4-19B did restore some pride within the team and also enabled Kimi to score his second grand prix victory, a stunning drive at the Belgian GP which left Schumacher trailing in his wake.
2005 was a bitter-sweet season for Kimi during which he experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.
While the Finn had the fastest car on the grid, it was unfortunately powered by a temperamental Mercedes engine. Despite seven grand prix wins and an additional five podium finishes, he eventually had to settle for second place behind Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' Championship.
Remaining with McLaren-Mercedes in 2006, the team had one more season to hand the World title to Kimi. They couldn't. In fact, they couldn't even hand him one single race win.
Despite claiming two pole positions and three fastest race lap times, the Finn struggled to get on the podium, claiming just six top-three finishers, none of which was a P1.
Raikkonen finished the year fifth in the Drivers' Championship and, his impending arrival at Ferrari having been announced at the Italian GP moments after Michael Schumacher's retirement, he departed McLaren at the end of the season.
He started 2007 with a bang, dominating the season-opening Australian GP.
But his form spluttered soon afterwards as he battled with both reliability gremlins and the occasional driver error.
He fought back in style at the French GP where he claimed his second win of the season, which he followed up seven days later with another in Britain.
A retirement in Germany saw his Championship challenge again lose momentum, although a string of six podium finishes, including two race wins, saw Raikkonen entering the last race of the season trailing Championship leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points.
And to the surprise of many, the Ferrari driver pulled it off - Raikkonen taking victory in the Brazilian GP with Hamilton able to finish only seventh.
However, Raikkonen's title defence proved less than impressive, a lack of pace - particularly in qualifying - begetting at times a lack of motivation.
Two wins the opening four races saw Raikkonen firmly in the hunt for the crown, however, his victory in Spain at the end of April would be his final win of the season.
Bad luck also played a part - Hamilton hit Raikkonen from behind in the pit lane at the Canadian GP, a broken exhaust cost him victory in France and the wrong call on tyres put paid to his hopes at Silverstone.
His performances improved after he reverted to an older version of Ferrari's F2008 late in the season but the general impression was that Raikkonen's driving lacked the spark of 2007.
Raikkonen eventually finished a disappointing campaign down in third place, Ferrari nevertheless extending his contract to the end of 2010.
[via Sky Sports]
1/08/2009 10:33:00 p.m.
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1/07/2009 09:40:00 p.m.
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In spite of his publicity-shy nature, Kimi Raikkonen has been in the spotlight ever since his controversial arrival on the grid (and is also reputedly something of a wildman away from the track. You'd never guess from those monosyllabic press interviews would you?).
But even if he himself is not fond of speaking in public, Kimi is still one of the most talked-about drivers in the sport - and has been ever since his shock introduction.
It was as long ago as 2000 when Sauber boss Peter Sauber surprised the world of F1 when he announced that he had offered the 21-year-old Finn a race deal for the following season on provision that he was handed the necessary superlicense.
Having competed in just 23 car races, Raikkonen became one of the least experienced drivers ever to enter F1, but immediately delivered impressive testing performances to justify the Swiss team's faith in him.
Earlier in his career, his international results in karting were the best ever achieved by a Finnish driver, and he went on to further impress by winning the 2000 British Formula Renault Championship after taking seven wins in 10 races.
Although he met with opposition from F1 drivers wary of accepting a driver on the grid with even less experience than Jenson Button the year before him, Raikkonen proved his critics wrong.
His debut season with Sauber was sensational, the apparently ice-cool youngster proving within just a handful of races that he was a special talent.
By the time Mika Hakkinen told Ron Dennis that he was thinking of taking a sabbatical in 2002, the race was on to sign the younger Finn.
McLaren and Ferrari both wanted his services, but Kimi was swayed by the fact that if he drove for Ferrari he'd be a No.2 driver to Schumacher while at McLaren he would be allowed to win.
His 2002 season was also electric, but an underpowered McLaren on less than perfect Michelins meant he was rarely able to challenge for the lead. Although he didn't outscore his team-mate Coulthard, he regularly outqualified him. It was only due to the team's very 'un-McLaren-like' poor reliability that he didn't finish any higher than sixth place overall with 24 points.
The low point of his year came when he led the French Grand Prix with two laps left before sliding wide on oil left by Allan McNish's retiring Toyota. Marshals had failed to put warning oil flags out and the Finn was left with the sight of Michael Schumacher squeezing past him and claiming his fifth world title in the process.
Yet the Finn's first win wasn't long in coming.
With McLaren beginning the 2003 season in dominant fashion, Raikkonen took the chequered flag at the Malaysian GP, the second race of the campaign.
A string of podium finishes followed, and at the halfway stage of the campaign Raikkonen was leading the Drivers' standings.
However, the McLaren was falling behind both the Williams and Ferrari at this stage and it was only Raikkonen's tenacity and ability to steadily accumulate points which kept him in the hunt.
The Championship fight went to the wire in Japan, but a win for Rubens Barrichello guaranteed another title for Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher.
Hopes were high that Kimi could go one better in 2004 but even before the Finn was expressing concern at the MP4-19. They were well-founded.
The team's new charger was wretched, ensuring the worst, and most embarrassing, start to a season. Eventually the team unveiled a replacement, yet it was too late to save their season.
Still, the MP4-19B did restore some pride within the team and also enabled Kimi to score his second grand prix victory, a stunning drive at the Belgian GP which left Schumi trailing in his wake.
2005 was a bitter-sweet season for Kimi during which he experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.
While the Finn had the fastest car on the grid, it was unfortunately powered by a temperamental Mercedes engine. Despite seven grands prix wins and an additional five podium finishes, he eventually had to settle for second place behind Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' battle.
Remaining with McLaren-Mercedes in 2006, the team had one more season to hand the World title to Kimi. They couldn't. In fact, they couldn't even hand him one single race win.
Despite claiming two pole positions and three fastest race lap times, the Finn struggled to get on the podium, claiming just six top-three finishers, none of which was a P1. He finished the year fifth in the Drivers' Championship, quite a drop from the runner-up spot he claimed the previous year.
Raikkonen, though, came back into form in 2007, his first season with Ferrari, winning the season-opening Australian GP after dominating the earlier sessions.
But his form spluttered soon after as he battled with reliability gremlins and the occasional driver error. He fought back in style at the French GP where he claimed his second win of the season which he followed up with win number three in Britain.
However, a retirement in Germany seemed to throw his out of the Championship, leaving him in a fight to catch up to the two McLaren drivers in the latter part of the season. A string of six podium finishes including two race wins meant Raikkonen entered the final grand prix of the year trailing Championship leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points.
The Ferrari driver, though, surprised many when he managed to pull it off claiming the race victory and the 2007 Drivers' Championship title by one point over the McLaren duo.
It was a feat that saw Raikkonen go down in the history books as one of four drivers to come from third place ahead of the final event to win the World title.
The Finn, though, failed to bag a second title in 2008 when he struggled for pace - and perhaps a lack of motivation when he found himself too far down the order.
Two wins the opening four races saw Raikkonen firmly in the hunt for the crown, however, little was he to know that his victory in Spain would be his final one of the season.
He battled to reach the podium, never mind the top step, and wasn't helped by other people's mistakes including Lewis Hamilton crashing into him in the pit lane at the Canadian GP. Nonetheless, the general impression was that Raikkonen's driving lacked the spark of 2007 and he eventually finished a disappointing campaign down in third place.
source:Planet F1
But even if he himself is not fond of speaking in public, Kimi is still one of the most talked-about drivers in the sport - and has been ever since his shock introduction.
It was as long ago as 2000 when Sauber boss Peter Sauber surprised the world of F1 when he announced that he had offered the 21-year-old Finn a race deal for the following season on provision that he was handed the necessary superlicense.
Having competed in just 23 car races, Raikkonen became one of the least experienced drivers ever to enter F1, but immediately delivered impressive testing performances to justify the Swiss team's faith in him.
Earlier in his career, his international results in karting were the best ever achieved by a Finnish driver, and he went on to further impress by winning the 2000 British Formula Renault Championship after taking seven wins in 10 races.
Although he met with opposition from F1 drivers wary of accepting a driver on the grid with even less experience than Jenson Button the year before him, Raikkonen proved his critics wrong.
His debut season with Sauber was sensational, the apparently ice-cool youngster proving within just a handful of races that he was a special talent.
By the time Mika Hakkinen told Ron Dennis that he was thinking of taking a sabbatical in 2002, the race was on to sign the younger Finn.
McLaren and Ferrari both wanted his services, but Kimi was swayed by the fact that if he drove for Ferrari he'd be a No.2 driver to Schumacher while at McLaren he would be allowed to win.
His 2002 season was also electric, but an underpowered McLaren on less than perfect Michelins meant he was rarely able to challenge for the lead. Although he didn't outscore his team-mate Coulthard, he regularly outqualified him. It was only due to the team's very 'un-McLaren-like' poor reliability that he didn't finish any higher than sixth place overall with 24 points.
The low point of his year came when he led the French Grand Prix with two laps left before sliding wide on oil left by Allan McNish's retiring Toyota. Marshals had failed to put warning oil flags out and the Finn was left with the sight of Michael Schumacher squeezing past him and claiming his fifth world title in the process.
Yet the Finn's first win wasn't long in coming.
With McLaren beginning the 2003 season in dominant fashion, Raikkonen took the chequered flag at the Malaysian GP, the second race of the campaign.
A string of podium finishes followed, and at the halfway stage of the campaign Raikkonen was leading the Drivers' standings.
However, the McLaren was falling behind both the Williams and Ferrari at this stage and it was only Raikkonen's tenacity and ability to steadily accumulate points which kept him in the hunt.
The Championship fight went to the wire in Japan, but a win for Rubens Barrichello guaranteed another title for Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher.
Hopes were high that Kimi could go one better in 2004 but even before the Finn was expressing concern at the MP4-19. They were well-founded.
The team's new charger was wretched, ensuring the worst, and most embarrassing, start to a season. Eventually the team unveiled a replacement, yet it was too late to save their season.
Still, the MP4-19B did restore some pride within the team and also enabled Kimi to score his second grand prix victory, a stunning drive at the Belgian GP which left Schumi trailing in his wake.
2005 was a bitter-sweet season for Kimi during which he experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.
While the Finn had the fastest car on the grid, it was unfortunately powered by a temperamental Mercedes engine. Despite seven grands prix wins and an additional five podium finishes, he eventually had to settle for second place behind Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' battle.
Remaining with McLaren-Mercedes in 2006, the team had one more season to hand the World title to Kimi. They couldn't. In fact, they couldn't even hand him one single race win.
Despite claiming two pole positions and three fastest race lap times, the Finn struggled to get on the podium, claiming just six top-three finishers, none of which was a P1. He finished the year fifth in the Drivers' Championship, quite a drop from the runner-up spot he claimed the previous year.
Raikkonen, though, came back into form in 2007, his first season with Ferrari, winning the season-opening Australian GP after dominating the earlier sessions.
But his form spluttered soon after as he battled with reliability gremlins and the occasional driver error. He fought back in style at the French GP where he claimed his second win of the season which he followed up with win number three in Britain.
However, a retirement in Germany seemed to throw his out of the Championship, leaving him in a fight to catch up to the two McLaren drivers in the latter part of the season. A string of six podium finishes including two race wins meant Raikkonen entered the final grand prix of the year trailing Championship leader Lewis Hamilton by seven points.
The Ferrari driver, though, surprised many when he managed to pull it off claiming the race victory and the 2007 Drivers' Championship title by one point over the McLaren duo.
It was a feat that saw Raikkonen go down in the history books as one of four drivers to come from third place ahead of the final event to win the World title.
The Finn, though, failed to bag a second title in 2008 when he struggled for pace - and perhaps a lack of motivation when he found himself too far down the order.
Two wins the opening four races saw Raikkonen firmly in the hunt for the crown, however, little was he to know that his victory in Spain would be his final one of the season.
He battled to reach the podium, never mind the top step, and wasn't helped by other people's mistakes including Lewis Hamilton crashing into him in the pit lane at the Canadian GP. Nonetheless, the general impression was that Raikkonen's driving lacked the spark of 2007 and he eventually finished a disappointing campaign down in third place.
source:Planet F1
1/06/2009 10:14:00 p.m.
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1/06/2009 08:45:00 p.m.
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1/05/2009 12:01:00 a.m.
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Kimi Raikkonen will win the 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers' World Championship - that's the prediction of Crash.net columnist and former ITV-F1 pundit Mark Blundell.
Raikkonen endured a largely torrid season in 2008 and, while he definitely had the speed to set a record-equalling ten fastest laps, he was forced to play second fiddle to Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, who only lost out on the title by one point following a dramatic final round showdown in Brazil with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. Despite all that, however, Blundell reckons the ‘ice-man' could come good again this year.
“I might be completely wrong here but, for some reason, I think Kimi Raikkonen might turn things around and come back stronger than ever,” MB told Crash.net Radio in his exclusive 2009 F1 season preview.
“I am going to put my money on him again for the title - like I did for 2007. Let's wait and see. I might change that prediction when it comes to the first race and when we see what goes on in winter testing!“
As for how Raikkonen performed in 2008, Blundell added that he was shocked by Kimi's form, or lack of it.
“I was very surprised in '08, because I felt Kimi would go on again after pulling the championship off," he admitted, "There was a lot more still to be done and there was no pressure on his shoulders because he had delivered. I thought he would be right there and in contention.”
“At the beginning of the season, he was up there and all was going according to plan. But then, all of a sudden, things dropped out and he went below the radar.
“On many occasions, we saw Kimi struggle in qualifying trim, but then gradually, as the race went on, you would see him and the Ferrari getting it together and coming on strong and pulling off fastest lap after fastest lap.
“But it was all too late then - that was very costly. He never collected enough points when it mattered".
Raikkonen endured a largely torrid season in 2008 and, while he definitely had the speed to set a record-equalling ten fastest laps, he was forced to play second fiddle to Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, who only lost out on the title by one point following a dramatic final round showdown in Brazil with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. Despite all that, however, Blundell reckons the ‘ice-man' could come good again this year.
“I might be completely wrong here but, for some reason, I think Kimi Raikkonen might turn things around and come back stronger than ever,” MB told Crash.net Radio in his exclusive 2009 F1 season preview.
“I am going to put my money on him again for the title - like I did for 2007. Let's wait and see. I might change that prediction when it comes to the first race and when we see what goes on in winter testing!“
As for how Raikkonen performed in 2008, Blundell added that he was shocked by Kimi's form, or lack of it.
“I was very surprised in '08, because I felt Kimi would go on again after pulling the championship off," he admitted, "There was a lot more still to be done and there was no pressure on his shoulders because he had delivered. I thought he would be right there and in contention.”
“At the beginning of the season, he was up there and all was going according to plan. But then, all of a sudden, things dropped out and he went below the radar.
“On many occasions, we saw Kimi struggle in qualifying trim, but then gradually, as the race went on, you would see him and the Ferrari getting it together and coming on strong and pulling off fastest lap after fastest lap.
“But it was all too late then - that was very costly. He never collected enough points when it mattered".
1/04/2009 09:46:00 p.m.
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Double world champion Mika Hakkinen has leapt to the defence of two of Formula One's leading figures.
The 40-year-old Finn, who retired as a McLaren race driver in 2001, said his countryman Kimi Raikkonen will bounce back to form after a lacklustre season with Ferrari this year.
Hakkinen also backed the sport's 78-year-old Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, following recent suggestions that he should stand down.
"In the past decades he was the one who moved Formula One forwards," Hakkinen insisted. "He is absolutely the right man for the job. "
Meanwhile, Hakkinen tipped 21-year-old Sebastian Vettel, the youngest ever race winner following his 2008 Monza victory, for a F1 title within a 'few years'.
"Vettel has the right stuff," he said. "He is still very young, but exceptionally fast, performing like an old hand. Certainly in the next few years he will take the title."
[via F1-live]
The 40-year-old Finn, who retired as a McLaren race driver in 2001, said his countryman Kimi Raikkonen will bounce back to form after a lacklustre season with Ferrari this year.
"Kimi did not have a good year, but in 2009 he will attack again and win races," Hakkinen told laola1.at. "He knows what went wrong and will stop it from happening again."
Hakkinen also backed the sport's 78-year-old Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, following recent suggestions that he should stand down.
"In the past decades he was the one who moved Formula One forwards," Hakkinen insisted. "He is absolutely the right man for the job. "
Meanwhile, Hakkinen tipped 21-year-old Sebastian Vettel, the youngest ever race winner following his 2008 Monza victory, for a F1 title within a 'few years'.
"Vettel has the right stuff," he said. "He is still very young, but exceptionally fast, performing like an old hand. Certainly in the next few years he will take the title."
[via F1-live]
1/03/2009 09:37:00 p.m.
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Former Ferrari racer Eddie Irvine believes the Italian team should sack Kimi Raikkonen or slash his pay if the Finn fails to perform in 2009.
In his season as reigning champion Raikkonen had a lacklustre 2008, failing to win a race after April's Spanish Grand Prix and finishing 22 points behind team-mate Felipe Massa.
It is believed Massa, just one point shy of winning the 2008 drivers' championship, earns only one third of Raikkonen's Ferrari retainer. Both drivers have contracts to the end of 2010.
[via F1-live]
-------------------
same old, same old :roll:
"If you're the highest paid you have to be the best and he's not doing the job, simple as that," the Ulsterman, who was Michael Schumacher's team-mate between 1996 and 1999, told Virgin Media.
In his season as reigning champion Raikkonen had a lacklustre 2008, failing to win a race after April's Spanish Grand Prix and finishing 22 points behind team-mate Felipe Massa.
It is believed Massa, just one point shy of winning the 2008 drivers' championship, earns only one third of Raikkonen's Ferrari retainer. Both drivers have contracts to the end of 2010.
Irvine said of Raikkonen, 29: "If he doesn't beat Massa next year I'd be sacking him or reducing his wages massively."
"In sport if you perform you get paid and if you don't perform you're out."
[via F1-live]
-------------------
same old, same old :roll:
1/02/2009 09:42:00 p.m.
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Appuntamento internazionale della Formula1 e del MotoGp che riunisce a Madonna di Campiglio i piloti ed i team della Scuderia Ferrari e della Ducati ed i giornalisti di tutto il mondo
WROOOM - MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO
FERRARI & DUCATI PRESS SKI MEETING 2009
PROGRAMMA 2009
Giovedì 1 gennaio:
Ore18.30 - Pista Belvedere – Snow & Fire
Wrooom illumina la notte campigliana: uno spettacolo di fuoco annuncerà l’evento in occasione della fiaccolata del primo dell’anno.
Sabato 10 gennaio:
Ore14.00 - Laghetto - Aspettando Wrooom
In arrivo dai cieli dolomitici un segno dedicato a tutti gli Ospiti di Madonna di Campiglio, per dare il via alla 19° edizione del Ferrari & Ducati Press Ski Meeting.
Lunedì 12 gennaio:
Ore17.30 - Piazza Dolomiti - Wrooom Space
Presentazione della Wrooom Week e inaugurazione della Wrooom Gallery, un percorso temporale per rievocare diciannove spettacolari anni tra neve e motori, con i Campioni che hanno costellato la storia dell’automobilismo e motociclismo. Eccezionalmente per tutti i Visitatori di Madonna di Campiglio, in esposizione la monoposto Ferrari F xxx e Ducati Desmo xxx.
Martedì 13 gennaio:
Ore 17.30 - Piazza Dolomiti - Wrooom Space - Ducati Incontra
Intervista con i Piloti del Team Ducati: dalle conferenze stampa con i giornalisti di tutto il mondo, il Campione del Mondo
Casey Stoner & Nicky Hyden
saranno a disposizione per incontrare il pubblico, rispondere a domande, soddisfare curiosità e… firmare autografi!
Ore 22.30 - Schumacher Streif – Fiaccolata I° manche
All’arrivo della mitica pista nera dedicata al Pluricampione del Mondo, giungeranno in notturna i Piloti Ferrari & Ducati con tutto il team. Un goloso ristoro vi aspetterà.
Mercoledì 14 gennaio:
Dalle ore 16.00 - Piazza Dolomiti - Wrooom Space
Degustazioni enogastronomiche con prodotti tipici, per chi ha voglia di qualcosa di stuzzicante durante la passeggiata.
Freestyle Cocktail: una singolare esibizione di barman acrobatici alla ricerca del cocktail perfetto.
Wrooom Bonfire: arrivo della lunga Fiaccolata Wrooom dalla pista Belvedere al Wrooom Space per il grande falò finale.
Giovedì 15 gennaio:
Ore 17.30 - Piazza Dolomiti - Wrooom Space - Ferrari Incontra
Intervista con i Piloti della Scuderia Ferrari: dalle conferenze stampa con i giornalisti di tutto il mondo, il Campione del Mondo
Kimi Raikkonen & Felipe Massa
saranno a disposizione per incontrare il pubblico, per rispondere a domande, soddisfare curiosità e…firmare autografi!
Ore 22.30 - Schumacher Streif – Fiaccolata II° manche
Venerdi 16 gennaio:
Ore 16.00 - Laghetto – Parkour Contest
I “Creatori di Percorsi” Vi faranno vivere un’esperienza indimenticabile in un movimento fluido e atletico che, grazie alla piena padronanza di corpo e mente, supererà qualsiasi ostacolo si trovi sul loro cammino.
Ore 17.00 - Laghetto – Go-Kart Challenge Exhibition
Imperdibile appuntamento per l’emozionante competizione con
i Campioni del Mondo della Formula1 e del MotoGP,
che si cimenteranno alla guida dei go-kart sul ghiaccio puro del Laghetto di Campiglio. L’unica occasione che vede gareggiare campioni di motociclismo con campioni di automobilismo…! Tra sorpassi, curve paraboliche, testacoda e chicane, chi la spunterà?
Ore 18.30 - Piazza Dolomiti - Wrooom Space - 19th Wrooom Birthday
Grande festa per celebrare i 19 anni di Wrooom: i Piloti spegneranno le candeline, taglieranno la torta e… buon appetito a tutti! In attesa del memorabile 20° Anniversario nel 2010, per un’altra entusiasmante edizione di Wrooom - Ferrari & Ducati Press Ski Meeting a cui non potrete mancare… Vi aspettiamo!
A seguire…fuochi d’artificio, shopping, happy hour, aperitivi e divertimento non-stop fino a tarda notte.
1/01/2009 09:34:00 p.m.
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