Kimi Leads Home Ferrari One-Two

Kimi Raikkonen cruised to victory in a Spanish Grand Prix that was marred by an horrendous accident involving Heikki Kovalainen.

The McLaren driver miraculously suffered nothing more than concussion after ploughing into a tyre wall nose first at 150mph at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

The McLaren driver was eventually airlifted to a nearby hospital with his neck in a brace to undergo a series of precautionary checks.

Raikkonen, meanwhile, led from pole to flag, the eighth successive occasion that has occurred at this track to strengthen his lead at the top of the drivers' standings.

The main concern, though, surrounded Kovalainen who was heading the race on lap 21, although he had yet to pit compared to the leading trio at that stage.

Suddenly, Kovalainen flew off the track at turn nine before burying the front half of his car in a tyre wall.

On-board camera footage showed what appeared to be a part of the car breaking off, which instantly led to the front-left tyre deflating, and with Kovalainen unable to turn out of the smash.

Not only was the safety car immediately deployed, but also the medical car such was the severity of the impact.

When Kovalainen's car was eventually hauled out of the tyres by a tractor, there was nothing left of the front of the McLaren.

Kovalainen at least gave a thumbs-up sign as he was taken away on a stretcher to the track medical centre before being moved to the hospital.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren F1 CEO, remarked: "He banged his head and has concussion, so as a precaution will undergo tests.

"There are no other visible signs of injury, although he says he is aware he has hurt his elbow."

When asked as to what caused the accident, Whitmarsh added: "There was a sudden deflation of his tyre.

"Part of the rim was machined off, potentially by some debris or by something that got lodged inside the wheel.

"Until we get the data back then we don't really know at this stage."

Either side of Kovalainen's accident, it was a race of attrition such was the casualty rate as a spinning Adrian Sutil took the Toro Rosso of Sebastian Vettel out of the race on lap one.

That led to the first introduction of the safety car as marshals cleared debris off the circuit.

The second Toro Rosso of Sebastien Bourdais was bundled off the track on lap six by the Renault of Nelson Piquet who had tried to dive down the inside at turn 10.

Piquet, who had dropped towards the rear of the field due to an earlier spin, retired immediately, and although Bourdais made it back to the pits, his race was also run.

Anthony Davidson then retired after a stone punctured the radiator of his Super Aguri, which was a sad way to exit in what may be his last race if the cash-strapped team are unable to saved from their financial crisis over the next few days.

Rubens Barrichello suffered a collision with the Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella as they exited the pit lane, dislodging the Honda's nose cone.

For an entire lap, and with the safety car on track in the wake of Kovalainen's smash, Barrichello was forced to trundle back to the pits again with the nose lodged under his front-right suspension.

Although the veteran Brazilian was given another new nose, it was clear his car had also suffered further damage as he too retired soon after.

The biggest disappointment for the majority of the 120,00 crowd was the sight of Fernando Alonso's Renault engine blowing on lap 35.

Alonso had started second on the grid, but off the line was unable to defend his position as Massa passed him.

Although he was also predictably running light on fuel, he was on course for a decent points finish as he was running in fifth when he pulled off the track, as did Nico Rosberg in his Williams that also sustained a blown engine.

At the head of affairs it at least proved a close run thing, but on a track where it is notoriously difficult to overtake there was never a chance for the top order to be reversed in any way.

Raikkonen now has a nine-point lead over Hamilton, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica a further point back in third after he came home fourth.

Red Bull's Mark Webber was fifth, with Jenson Button picking up Honda's first points of the season in sixth, while Kazuki Nakajima broke his duck for Williams in finishing seventh, followed by the Toyota of Jarno Trulli.

source : www.sportinglife.com

Raikkonen Ready to Move Up Gear

Kimi Raikkonen emerged from a weekend that was less than perfect with the lead in the world championship, and now he is ready to crank up the pressure.

Raikkonen was unable to match the pace of Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa throughout the three days of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

But the reigning world champion still came home second behind the Brazilian to open up a three-point cushion in the drivers' title race.

That was primarily due to Lewis Hamilton finishing a miserable 13th after the Briton committed two mistakes in the opening two minutes to wreck his race.

With the season heading towards Europe, starting with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona in three weeks' time, Raikkonen is looking to consolidate his lead at the top of the standings.

"It wasn't perfect all weekend," assessed Raikkonen.

"The problem was that one lap was good, but the next different and we never really found the perfect mid-way if you like.

"It's one of those things that we couldn't really get the car right.

"But out of a bad weekend I still finished second and I'm leading the championship, so I leave Bahrain reasonably satisfied.

"That is the main thing, and we know we have the speed once we get everything right, so although the race was difficult, I am happy with second.

"Out of the first three races it is really important to get as many points as possible.

"After that the season really starts, so heading into Europe I am very happy to be leading, and hopefully we can be really strong in the next races.

"If I continue to score second places I won't be too disappointed, although of course I would rather win than be second."

Raikkonen appreciates it was Hamilton's errors that enabled him to leapfrog to the top of the standings, while Ferrari are a point behind BMW Sauber in the constructors' championship.

The Finn, though, was always confident he would have the measure of Hamilton on the Sakhir circuit.

"Although he was leading the championship, we knew we should be able to beat him anyhow, and if he doesn't score points it's even better for us," mocked Raikkonen.

"I'm now leading and that's good for me, whilst we have caught up a lot in the constructors' championship.

"We are only one point behind now, which shows one race can make a big difference, so I think overall it's been a very good weekend for the team."

source : www.sportinglife.com

Alonso optimistic for season

Fernando Alonso believes Renault have the potential to once again fight for victories this season, but admitted it will be difficult to replicate his fourth-place finish in Melbourne at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Spaniard rejoined his former team in December last year after an ill-fated spell with McLaren ended in acrimonious circumstances.

But whereas Alonso left Renault as a double world champion having led them to the constructors' title in both 2005 and 2006, the French outfit are now languishing amongst the midfield runners after only picking up 51 points last term.

The 26-year-old did secure an unexpected five points in the opening race of the season at Albert Park but that owed more to the fact only seven cars finished the 58-lap contest rather than a true measure of his car's pace.

But while conceding there is still some way to go for Renault before they can even think about challenging McLaren, Ferrari and even BMW Sauber, Alonso was cautiously upbeat they will become more competitive as the season wears on.

"Melbourne was good but obviously we were lucky with that situation," he said.

"I would like to have wheel-to-wheel racing with McLaren or Ferrari in a normal race so that's the target for the season and in Australia, we didn't have that. We were too far behind.

"But I'm optimistic, it's only the first race of a championship so at the start of the year you are always optimistic, there are a lot of races to come, a lot of time.

"I really think we will close that gap and improve the car quite a lot. In Formula One, nothing is 100% certain. We will improve but other people will improve as well. It's up to us to do a better job."

The situation in which Alonso now finds himself is similar to his first two seasons at Renault, where his unquestionable talent helped lay the foundations for subsequent success.

And the Spaniard insisted he is relishing the challenge of once again restoring the team to the pinnacle of Formula One.

"It is the same as in 2003 and 2004 - we need to fight and close the gap," he added.

"The races are a little bit more interesting for me because you are racing in the middle of the group and there are a lot of things to do, to fight for from lap one, and many things that are going on.

"For me, I guess the whole season will be like this. I'm enjoying this new challenge and feel good.

"Of course there is a lot of work to do as soon as possible, the team, me, we all need to improve and close the gap and I'm part of that team.

"So that's the first thing we have to do. We need to improve the car, we need to work better and we will be closer to the top three."

source : www.sportinglife.com

Hamilton Braced for Ferrari Backlash

Lewis Hamilton insists he fully expects Ferrari to bounce back at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix after their disastrous start to the 2008 Formula One season in Melbourne.

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa retired from the Australian Grand Prix with engine failures, though the former did at least have the consolation of a world championship point after Rubens Barrichello's Honda was disqualified.

While the Italian team were left to reflect on their misfortune, Hamilton was cruising to victory at Albert Park to strike the first blow in this season's championship race.

But with Ferrari confident they have got to the root of their mechanical woes - a broken valve in the engine was apparently to blame - Hamilton is under no illusions he will be in for a much harder time in Sepang from the team expected to once again prove McLaren's main rivals as the season unfolds.

"I expect them to be as strong as they were last weekend but perhaps without the problems that they had," he said.

"They can't really have a much worse weekend than they did last weekend. I'm sure they'll recover and do a better job than last weekend but they were quite strong here last year as well, especially during the race.

"So we'll have to look out for them."

Hamilton finished second behind team-mate Fernando Alonso last year in only the Briton's second Formula One race, enticing pole-sitter Massa into a mistake along the way that effectively ruined the Brazilian's race.

It was the second of what turned out to be nine consecutive podium appearances for the 23-year-old as his debut season ended with him missing out on becoming the first rookie champion in the sport's history by a single point to Raikkonen.

But Hamilton believes last year's tumultuous campaign - that featured as much action off the track as on it - helped him mature as a driver regardless of the outcome.

"I think after a long season, it takes some time to come down and also then to rebuild," he said. "To start building on the foundations you've made, and there were a few of them last season.

"I had a very good season last year, perhaps with not the best ending, but I learnt so much that going into this season I start at a much higher point than I did last year.

"Confidence and training has been much better going into the first race than it was last year just because of the experience.

"We know what to do, so I think overall I'm in much better shape."

That claim was borne out by the manner of last Sunday's victory, when Hamilton insisted he was driving within himself even though he had to negotiate three safety car periods.

"Being in front you're able to pace yourself and to just stay on top of things," he added.

"I'm not going to say by how much I could have gone faster, you don't really know, but I was still pushing. It wasn't the case that I was short-shifting everywhere.

"There were a lot of variants last year. I came in, everything was new to me, so I was on the limit everywhere. I was on the limit on the pit lane, I was on the limit on the exit of the pits.

"I was on the limit from the first lap to the end of the race and perhaps I consumed more energy mentally and physically than I needed to.

"This year, I have it a lot more under control, I can control it a lot better."

Hamilton also reiterated he would not be joining the Grand Prix Drivers' Association despite being urged to sign up to the body that liaises with the FIA on safety issues.

"I'm quite comfortable with the way I am. I shouldn't be pressured into doing anything, at any time," he said.

source : www.sportinglife.com

Super Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton believes his Australian Grand Prix triumph is the best of his five Formula One wins so far.

The McLaren driver cruised to victory at Albert Park on Sunday, claiming the opening race of the season by 5.4 seconds from BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld - with Nico Rosberg securing a maiden podium by finishing third in his Williams.

A frenetic season-opening contest saw only seven cars eventually cross the line after 58 laps of racing during another scorching Melbourne afternoon.

But Hamilton was coolness personified as he led from the front for the vast majority of the race, despite twice seeing his advantage reduced to nothing by the deployment of the safety car.

His performance was in stark contrast to that of 'Iceman' Kimi Raikkonen, who had begun the day aiming for points after a fuel pump problem had relegated the Finn to 15th on the grid.

That he managed to claim even one was the only piece of good fortune the current world champion experienced all weekend, after sixth-placed driver Rubens Barrichello was disqualified for exiting the pit lane with the red light on.

That came after his Ferrari had once again come to a halt in the pit lane, this time because of engine failure four laps from the end of the race, to bring an unhappy conclusion to an erratic afternoon.

The 28-year-old made up seven places at the start, was even running as high as third at one point but found himself at the back of the field when he ended up in the gravel, over-shooting on a bend passing Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren after the second safety car re-start.

A subsequent spin compounded Raikkonen's misery, but at least he was promoted from ninth to eight after Barrichello's blunder.

There were no such problems for Hamilton, the 23-year-old effortlessly easing away from the field three times after safety car periods - producing a faultless display, driving within himself.

After his maiden victory in Montreal last year, also highlighted by numerous interruptions, Hamilton went on to taste success three more times.

But he rates his Australian triumph even higher than the stunning victory in near-monsoon conditions at the Fuji Speedway in Japan last year.

"It's probably the best race I've had so far - in terms of managing tyres, controlling my pace and confidence, and being comfortable in the car." he said.

"It's quite different to my first win in Montreal, just because it was not really expected.

"Coming into your second season, this is a sort of target I set myself - and so I guess I've put more pressure on myself this year.

"This perhaps feels better than any, because I feel I've improved in so many areas. But I wouldn't say it's the perfect win. I would say there are a lot of areas I can improve."

With Heikki Kovalainen finishing fifth on his McLaren debut, it was a pleasing start for the Woking-based team as they opened up a 13-point gap over their Italian rivals - Felipe Massa also failing to finish because of engine failure, having already put David Coulthard out of the race.

After the trials and tribulations of last season, Hamilton was delighted to start the 2008 campaign on a positive note.

"I wouldn't say it draws a line under it [last season]," he added.

"But for sure, coming into a new season, turning over a new leaf, we really wanted to get off on the right foot.

"Ron's [Dennis] been through a lot - so have the team - but we pulled through, and it really shows in the results.

"I'm glad he's happy. It's an emotional feeling to win the first grand prix of the season - especially with all the winter testing, the whole build-up, not really knowing whether you had the pace of everyone else, whether you would be able to win, whether the cars could be reliable.

"But when you come out on top it's a real relief and great satisfaction."

Despite Ferrari's disastrous start, Hamilton is far too shrewd to start writing off the Italian marque just yet.

"I think a lot of hype was put on them," he said.

"They've obviously had a tough weekend. But we can't forget that they are a great team and they have a very good car and two great drivers as well.

"One bad weekend - I'm sure everyone could have a bad weekend at some point during the season. There are still 17 races to go."

source : www.sportinglife.com

Bad day for Raikkonen and Ferrari

Ferrari
Kimi Raikkonen: "It's really disappointing not to finish the race, but at least the point is better than nothing. I had an engine problem, the reason for which now needs to be analysed. The car was good and I had a good pace when I found a free track ahead of me.

"I spun a couple of times trying to pass those ahead of me, but the first time, with Glock, I put a wheel on the grass and the second time, with Kovalainen, I was a bit too optimistic. This result is obviously not the best start to the season but it is a very long one and we are well aware that we are capable of recovering from far worse situations than this. We have to put everything in place and then we will be really competitive."

Felipe Massa: "A horrible start to the season. We had engine problems which is unusual for a team like ours. We have to understand what happened and react immediately. I was fighting my way up the order all race long. At the first corner I lost control of the car while battling with Kovalainen and ended up off the track. Then I moved up the order and could have finished in the points.

"The incident with Coulthard? I was on the inside and he closed the door on me, probably because he hadn't seen me. Our championship will have to start again in Malaysia. We know we have a good car we have to work to be able to use it as intended."

Toyota:
Timo Glock: That was a hard way to return to racing in F1. Given our starting position this was always going to be a difficult afternoon's work. I had contact with two other cars at the start but despite our heavy fuel load we were able to make up some ground in the early part of the race. Still, the car felt a bit strange in terms of understeer and that's what we have to work on to improve the car. After the pit stop it was hard work to drive and my race ended with the crash. I feel fine but I'm disappointed and we will hope for better fortunes next week."

Jarno Trulli: From early on in the race the battery was too hot. Then when I stopped in the pits it just gave up. That is a pity because the car felt good and I was doing pretty well. I was running comfortably in the points so it is unfortunate to lose out on a scoring start to the year. Still, the car is better than last year's and there is performance to come. Here we didn't look too strong because we didn't work the tyres perfectly but even so we could have had a good result. So I'm sure we can fight well this year and I hope to be stronger in Malaysia."

Super Aguri:
Takuma Sato: It was a difficult race for us. I did not get off the start well, but after that I fought back for position and gained a few places in the first lap, and that was an exciting moment battling in the first stint. After the first pitstop and a few laps we had a problem and I had to stop, which is a shame as everyone has done such a good job to get us here and make it happen. But I think that we collected very valuable information and data today, so I cannot wait to get started again in Malaysia."

Anthony Davidson: It is disappointing to have an early retirement from the Australian Grand Prix. I am really frustrated that I couldn't do the laps that I wanted to today and finish the race, as that was my main aim. We haven't had much time in the car this weekend or in testing and it was really important to get that done today, so it is gutting not to have done that. I feel that through no fault of my own I was sandwiched between two cars, trying to avoid the inevitable. I tried to brake to get away from it and the cars right and left just rode over my front wheels, so there was no where for me to go."

Race Starts could be moved

Australian Grand Prix organisers could move the start time of the 2009 race to late afternoon as they seek a compromise with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

It has been decided Sunday's event at Melbourne's Albert Park will start at 3.30pm, rather than 2pm, to attract a larger television audience across Europe and Asia.

If that proves a success, organisers may then start next year's grand prix at 5pm in the hope that will appease Ecclestone, who has long called for the race to become a night-time event, or run the risk of losing their contract beyond 2010.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker said: "If starting the race later this year increases the television audience around the world, as we believe it will, we'll seek a 5pm start for the 2009 race.

"That will mean a 7am start time for the television coverage in Europe, finishing at about 8.40am; a 6am start time in the UK, finishing at about 7.40am; and an afternoon start and finish across the Asian continent where there are potentially hundreds of millions of extra viewers.

"All this can be achieved without any additional infrastructure costs."

source : www.sportinglife.com

Raikkonen ready to defend his Champ's Title

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone once noted of Kimi Raikkonen that "he barely talks to anyone and has done little for the sport".

As promoter of the most expensive sports production in the world, Ecclestone expects the drivers to also be entertainers, to offer more to 'the show' than merely driving fast at the numerous circuits around the world.

Yet as far as Raikkonen is concerned, if Ferrari are willing to spend £25million per annum on his services, his job is simply to win grands prix and championships.

It is not, as he found to his unhappy cost during his five years with McLaren, to suck up to the corporate suits at fancy dinners and sponsorship soirees.

In many respects, when Raikkonen switched from McLaren to Ferrari last winter, there was a sense of relief he had left behind the all-too-businesslike efficiency demanded by Ron Dennis.

Of course, there was a certain trepidation too, as Raikkonen had been hired to fill the shoes of incomparable seven-times champion Michael Schumacher.

If ever two drivers embody the antithesis of one another then it is Raikkonen and Schumacher, although with one unerring natural ability in common - to drive brilliantly.

Raikkonen did that last year, and deservedly - although some may disagree - he finally won his first world title at the age of 28.

Yet although the Finn has now achieved his ambition, and there are many commentators who perhaps felt that would be enough to satisfy him, his thirst for success has been far from quenched.

Unfortunately for Ecclestone, Raikkonen seems set to remain in the sport for a while yet as he said: "Anyone who thinks I'm now happy and satisfied is mistaken.

"It has never been fun for me to drive for a fifth or sixth-place finish. I'm here to win."

And that will be with Ferrari and no other team, adding: "I can well imagine that Ferrari will be the last team in my career. Why should I consider leaving?

"I have a contract for two more years, and as I've said before, I am not in a hurry to sign any new contracts.

"If I wanted I could sign a new contract tomorrow, but I will see what it feels like.

"Before I finish this contract I will make a new plan, but so far I enjoy Formula One and I'm very happy with the team.

"I like working with the people, but we will see what happens in the future."

The fact Raikkonen won the title in his debut season with Ferrari when a year ago he was in unfamiliar surroundings with a new car, new team-mate and new engineers merely strengthens his hand for this year.

In testing these past couple of months he has shown blistering pace, invariably overshadowing his team-mate Felipe Massa, and it is no wonder he starts favourite to retain his crown.

Raikkonen certainly feels more at home with the Maranello marque, adding: "It's much nicer and easier now than a year ago when I didn't know the people and I didn't know the team.

"Coming into this new season, I just hope we have a slightly stronger start to the year and then we will go from there."

But as an ominous word of warning to his rivals, he remarked: "We want to improve everywhere.

"We know where we have a difficult time in certain areas in races and on certain circuits.

"But I improve my driving every time I go in the car, so as a team we are pushing forward and hopefully we can improve in those areas where we want."

That is Raikkonen in the car, but away from it, he insists winning the world title has not impacted on his life, which is not wholly unsurprising given the laid-back nature of his character.

"Sure, I have achieved what I wanted in my life, so it's a nice thing," reflected Raikkonen.

"But I wouldn't say that it has changed me as a person."

There are few, if any sportsmen in the world who would describe becoming world champion as "nice", but then that merely sums up Raikkonen.

source : www.sportinglife.com

RAIKKONEN ROLLS ON IN BAHRAIN

Kimi Raikkonen set the pace in Bahrain testing while the luckless Felipe Massa's was hampered by technical problems.

The World Champion completed 66 laps and set a benchmark time of 1:30.914.

His team-mate Massa managed 13 fewer laps as a result of a hydraulic problem.

The Brazilian's best time was two tenths off the pace set by Raikkonen.

Toyota focused on optimising the TF108's cooling system as temperatures soared into the mid-30s.

Jarno Trulli set the best time for the Japanese constructor. The Italian rounded the Sakhir circuit in 1:32.382 - about half a second clear of team-mate Timo Glock.

Bahrain Test Times

1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:30.914 66
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:31.174 53
3. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:32.382 73
4. Glock Toyota (B) 1:32.762 75

Source : www.sportnglife.com

HAMILTON SADDENED BY RACIST ABUSE

Lewis Hamilton insists racist taunts have not altered his opinion of Spain despite the abuse leaving him "sad".

The McLaren star was jeered and insulted when he moved between the McLaren motorhome and the team's garage at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona, during pre-season tests on Saturday.

Pictures taken at the circuit show some spectators aiming abusive gestures and a group wearing wigs, dark make-up and t-shirts with the slogan 'Hamilton's Family' on the front.

The 23-year-old was targeted by some local fans following his public falling-out with former team-mate Fernando Alonso last season.

"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," said Hamilton, speaking to sportlifepress.com.

"The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant.

"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public, who although you always try to be there for them, you never know how important they are to you until these types of things happen."

Alonso has since joined Renault for the new season after a difficult 2007 partnering rookie Hamilton.

"I would like them (the Spanish fans) to understand my position," Hamilton said.

"The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship, at no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando, but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."

McLaren have attempted to play down the problems but the sport's governing body, the FIA, have pledged to take a hard line on any future incidents.

A team statement read: "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have raced and tested on Spanish circuits for many years, and everyone connected with the team regards Spain and the Spanish people with great affection, Lewis included."

The FIA, however, have warned that Spain could even be stripped of its grands prix as a result of such incidents. The country is due to host two races this year, at Barcelona and Valencia.

A spokesman said: "FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton.

"An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."

The management at the circuit have also warned spectators about their behaviour.

Circuit director Ramon Pradera said: "We would like to make a plea to the fans to behave correctly. No type of offensive behaviour can be tolerated."

Hamilton fought hard with Alonso for the world title last year, with their rivalry growing more intense as the season wore on.

Ultimately, both drivers were to miss out as Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen nipped in to take the crown at the final race.

Former Sports Minister Richard Caborn has spoken of his disgust at the incidents in Spain.

Caborn said: "This is totally unacceptable. I spoke to the Spanish sports minister when England players were abused a few years ago.

"It is disgusting behaviour and has no place in sport."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

MASSA CONFIDENT OF BEATING KIMI

Felipe Massa concedes being the reigning F1 champion may give Kimi Raikkonen a psychological edge this year but that doesn't mean he's not going to fight for the title himself.

Raikkonen clinched the 2007 Drivers' Championship by one point over McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton while Massa finished fourth in the standings after being hit by reliability problems throughout the season.

But while the Brazilian admits winning the title last year may give Raikkonen the upper hand, he is confident he can beat his team-mate to the Drivers' crown this season.

"There's always an advantage when you win something, as it happened to me when I won my first race," he said.

"But from a performance point of view we are equal: to become World Champion you need everything, luck too, and he had more than me.

"But this year I feel strong and motivated as ever because I know I have everything to fight on an equal footing."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

MASSA: WE'RE LOOKING GOOD

Felipe Massa is confident about Ferrari's chances of retaining the world titles, saying the F2008 is already proving to be more reliable than last year's car.

Ferrari launched their 2008 challenger earlier this month and immediately demonstrated the car's pace at the Jerez and Valencia tests.

But while pace is to be expected from Ferrari, its the car's reliability that has impressed Massa the most having watched his titles chances go up in smoke last year due to mechanical problems.

"Last year, and also two years ago, we always had plenty of mechanical problems in the first tests," he told Autosprint magazine.

"Minor things, because both cars were excellent. But you'd get those gremlins and you had to sort them out and change approach

"And then, at the following test, the problem wasn't there anymore but was somewhere else. It was a bit of an uncomfortable situation.

"Touch wood, but this car seems a lot more reliable. We are doing well now, we've done plenty of running with the two cars. And we can still make a step forward because there are many developments in the works."

The F1 teams resume testing at Barcelona this weekend where Ferrari will be aiming for another problem-free run.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

SINGAPORE REVEAL NIGHT-RACE TIMETABLE

Organisers of the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix have officially announced the timetable for the first-ever Formula One night race, which will begin about an hour after the sun sets.

The street circuit race will start under the floodlights at 8pm local time on Sunday, September 28.

Saturday's qualifying session and the second Friday practice session will also begin under the lights at the same time.

In addition to the night programme, there will also be a daytime practice session on Friday between 4pm and 5.30pm and final practice on Saturday between 5pm to 6pm.

"The time was chosen to offer optimal driving conditions under the lighting system as it will be completely dark and to hit maximum television viewership in Europe, where it will be Sunday lunchtime," explained Singapore GP communications manager Fiona Smith to the Today newspaper.

In addition to the main race, the Singapore GP will also host events on the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Formula BMW Pacific and other supporting events. The timings for the support races have yet to be revealed.

Race organisers also revealed more than 70% of the corporate hospitality packages for the event have already been sold.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Alonso Tires Of Lewis Feud Talk

Fernando Alonso attempted to draw a veil over his troubled year with McLaren and his feud with Lewis Hamilton.

The focus was meant to be on the launch of Renault's new car, the R28, for the forthcoming season at the team's Paris communications centre.

Alonso was irritated by questions regarding his relationship with Hamilton, which degenerated off the track as the two-time world champion was not given the status he felt he deserved.

When asked why his fight with Hamilton became so personal, he replied: "I don't think I had a problem with Lewis. Sometimes I read some things, but I'm sure they were exaggerating in Spain.

"Every time he had an interview there were two or three questions with me, and every time I had an interview there were two or three questions about him.

"Anything said was exaggerated the next day, so I am convinced it is better not to say anything.

"We cannot make a big thing of something that is not really a big thing. I have no problems with anyone.

"I don't regret anything from 2007. I had some difficulties, and I am here in 2008 ready to fight again.

"I'm happy and there are no big problems. It seems everybody wants to make something of nothing."

So when asked to give a personal appraisal of Hamilton, it was done grudgingly as he said: "Again, another question about Lewis.

"I don't want to say anything more than I have said all year.

"He is a very talented driver; rookie of the year; surprise of the year, and from what everybody was saying last year, nothing has changed.

"It was his first year in Formula One, and he was fighting for the championship, so perfect."

Alonso, though, spoke of the respect he has received since he returned to the team who made him champion in 2005 and 2006.

That is something he maybe considered was lacking at McLaren, but at the end of the day he ultimately had a shot at winning another championship.

"Last year Renault were struggling to get into Q3, while I was fighting for the title, so I don't regret anything," added the Spaniard.

"I was lucky to be fighting again for a championship, which is what a driver wants.

"Yes, it was a difficult season, but I was lucky. It was a step forward for me because every year, with experience, you improve.

"In the difficulties you learn even more about yourself and you learn quicker, so this year I will be better for sure."

But whether the car will be to Alonso's liking is another matter because after being put through its paces in a test in Valencia last week, it appears there is more work required.

"At the moment we need to close the gap to McLaren and Ferrari because we are a little bit too far behind them," assessed Alonso.

"At the moment there isn't a possibility to fight for podiums or wins. That's the first priority of these winter tests - we need to close that gap.

"Being two or three tenths (of a second) off the pace is not a big problem, but eight tenths or one second, wherever we are at the moment, is too much."

Although Alonso would not admit as much, it is clear he will be granted the number one status he craved at McLaren.

Team boss Flavio Briatore has turned to last year's test driver Nelson Piquet (who has dropped the Junior tag from his name) as Alonso's team-mate.

Alonso's experience will certainly hold sway as Briatore said: "This is my problem.

"I don't want to talk about a number one, two, three, four, five, six or seven.

"It's quite easy. Both drivers are working for the team, working together.

"But one point is very important, and that is Fernando is a world champion, while Nelsinho is the future and he will learn."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Hamilton Happy Despite 2 Spins

Lewis Hamilton brushed aside his double dose of disappointment on his first official test day of the new year.

Hamilton twice went off the track in McLaren's new car on the final day of a three-day session at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

On both occasions the 23-year-old beached his McLaren in gravel, the car returning to the garage on the back of a flat-bed truck.

Hamilton blamed the lack of engine braking for his excursions, one of the driver aids - along with traction control - now banned under new regulations.

"The first time it was just wet," Hamilton said.

"I touched the kerb and just went on to the edge of the gravel - it would be good if there were some proper run-off areas here - and then it was the same again in the afternoon.

"Without these controls helping you on the entry to corners there is a lot more locking of the rear wheels, and when you are on the limit and pushing that is what happens."

Hamilton knows he will quickly have to get used to the new car if he is to again challenge for the world title, as he did last year in his rookie season when he missed out by a point.

"I'm getting used to being without traction control and developing the car," added Hamilton, who still set the second fastest time of the day with a lap of one minute 20.099 seconds.

"But it is so slippery, and even harder without traction control.

"Without these controls it does make it a little bit nervous on exiting corners, which makes it a lot easier to make mistakes.

"But you just have to try and deal with it the best you can. All the teams will have to work hard to understand how to use the power better."

Following a private test last week, Hamilton is at least convinced of the new car's reliability, although there is certainly more room for improvement.

"I've had two and a half days in the car, but I think we've got off to a really good start," he added.

"Even compared to last year it was a big improvement when we went to the first few tests to see the reliability of the car.

"Yesterday, they (team-mate Heikki Kovalainen and official tester Pedro de la Rosa) were doing 120 plus laps, so it just shows how hard they have been working.

"We're moving in the right direction and we just need to keep on chipping away."

But when asked on whether the car was a big improvement on last year's model, he replied: "It will be.

"The car is an evolution from last year, so it feels very similar. Different bits do feel a little better. It will improve."

Rookie Timo Glock surprisingly ended the day on top in the new Toyota, finishing just over 0.3secs quicker than Hamilton, with Fernando Alonso in last year's Renault third fastest.

German Glock, who yesterday felt the car was perhaps not up to scratch, changed his tune today as he said: "I believe we have made some significant improvements.

"It is encouraging to see us end the day with the fastest lap and with the car extremely reliable, allowing us to complete a lot of laps (a day high of 96).

"The team have worked really hard this week to improve the car and I am happy."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Early Boost For Ferrari

Ferrari struck the first blow of the new year in the battle of the Formula One heavyweights.

Ferrari and McLaren both ran their new cars on the first official day of testing for 2008 following their unveiling last week.

And it was world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who clinched the title in dramatic circumstances last year, and team-mate Felipe Massa who topped the timesheets at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

After rain in the morning, the track dried out in the afternoon, with Raikkonen completing 59 laps overall with a best unofficial time of one minute 19.845 seconds.

Massa was just under 0.3secs adrift, with McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa another 0.4secs off the pace in third place ahead of the Toro Rosso of Sebastian Vettel.

The second McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen was fifth overall, just over a second down on Raikkonen, while Sebastien Bourdais gave Toro Rosso a strong showing with sixth.

Lewis Hamilton, who missed out on becoming world champion by a point to Raikkonen, is on track on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside Kovalainen and is sure to push the Ferraris close.

Overall, nine teams tested, with only BMW Sauber missing out as they launched their new car in Munich today, along with Honda.

James Rossiter was unfortunately last of the 14 drivers due to a problem early in the day with his Super Aguri - with the team awaiting new parts - allowing him to complete just 10 laps.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Raikkonen Positive About F2008

After Monday's Fiorano shakedown, Kimi Raikkonen says his first impression of the Ferrari F2008 is a positive one.

The World Champion tested in wet and misty conditions and explained that the car was easy to control despite the slippery track and the absence of traction control.

"The first impressions of the new car were very positive," said Raikkonen. "I don't think we have to make any improvements at the moment.

"There were some problems today and we still don't have the final tyres; but the impression was really fine. Next week we have further possibilities to see how the car behaves."

"I don't have many points of reference," he added. "I can only compare it to the last car. I did a test without traction control before Christmas and I have to say that first of all you have to drive very cautiously and consider that a car with traction control is fast and might respond a little bit faster.

"Surely the first impression is really positive and you can handle the car even without the traction control. The weather could have been better today, but it is really nice to drive this single-seater."

The Finn completed 55 laps and clocked a best time of 1.00.897. The Maranello-based team will resume testing on January 14 at the same track with both Raikkonen and Felipe Massa behind the wheel.

Source : www.sportinglife.com

Kimi And Fernando `Hard To Split`

Jean Todt believes there is very little between Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, but he believes the Finn is the better option for Ferrari.

The Italian marque's chief executive told Auto Motor Und Sport: Kimi has ranked for five or six years as one of the best drivers. Therefore, I never understood the people who were disappointed by his achievements in the first half of the season.

"Is Kimi better or worse than Alonso? I cannot answer that. For me, both are excellent race drivers. It is the car that makes the difference. I selected Kimi, because his character fits our team better."

The Frenchman also played down speculation that Raikkonen was unhappy at Maranello.

He said: "Kimi is happy with Ferrari. He loves driving. We know that he does not like certain things, and that is why we don't request those of him.

"Racing drivers are only employees, but they are the workers with the most pressure. If they do not function right, then that has far larger consequence for the company than if the receptionist does not do a good job.

"Therefore I try to arrange the life of the drivers to be as pleasant as possible. Up to now I can say that always, if we asked gently Kimi to do something, he did it."

Source : www.sportinglife.com

BMW Target Maiden Win

BMW have set the ambitious target of winning their first grand prix when the new season gets underway.

In a season dogged by controversy the German marque's progress through 2007 was a definite highlight.

The team accumulated 103 points and finished second in the Constructors' Championship.

And BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen is adamant that the Hinwil-based outfit can take a leap and compete for race wins against Ferrari and McLaren.

"For 2008 we have set ourselves the target of closing the gap to the leading teams," he said on the team's official website. "In addition we intend scoring our first Grand Prix victory."

PF-1 complied a list of BMW's fastest lap time from six grands prix through the season. We then compared them to the best lap of the race and found that the gap was whittled down as the season progressed.

Nonetheless, BMW still need to work on their overall race pace if they are to challenge.

Australia 1,4
Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari: 1:25.235
Robert Kubica BMW: 1:26.642

Malaysia 0,7
Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes: 1:36.701
Nick Heidfeld BMW: 1:37.417

Spain 0,5
Felipe Massa Ferrari: 1:22.680
Robert Kubica BMW: 1:23.129

France 0,8
Felipe Massa Ferrari: 1:16.099
Nick Heidfeld BMW: 1:16.875

Hungary 0,4
Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari: 1:20.047
Robert Kubica BMW: 1:20.419

Brazil 0,2
Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari: 1:12.445
Robert Kubica BMW: 1:12.686

Source : www.sportinglife.com

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