wants to let him go because I adored and supported McLaren before Kimi
came to join them in 2002. But Kimi was a driver I came to adore and support too, as I
never felt as confident supporting a driver like him so its not going
to stop here. Never.
Today has overwhelmed me despite all the assurances before, and I’m
disappointed that we never got to see Kimi and McLaren get what they strived for. It was such a ride. The ups and downs created such an emotional bond, and the fans will never forget this partnership. McLaren Forever & Keep Flying Kimi…
Your fan through all, Evenstar Saima
Sunday, Race day
The results are as follows:
1. M SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1h14m51.975s
2. RAIKKONEN McLaren +8.0s
3. KUBICA BMW +26.4s
4. FISICHELLA Renault +32.0s
5. BUTTON Honda +32.7s
6. BARRICHELLO Honda +42.4s
7. TRULLI Toyota +44.6s
8. HEIDFELD BMW +45.3s
9. MASSA Ferrari +45.9s
10. WEBBER Williams +72.6s
Fernando Alonso failed to finish the grand prix and protect his title lead, with an engine blow up on lap 44
Our Iceman joins forces with Ferrari
Raikkonen was confirmed as a Ferrari driver today, after months of
speculation. He has signed a deal until the end of the 2009 season. The Finn, who is yet to stand on the top step of the podium this year, says his goal for next year is to win the title.
"I expected it to happen already, but you never know what will happen
and hopefully we can do it next year," said Raikkonen after finishing
in the second place at the Italian Grand Prix.
We need to work as hard as we can and I have full confidence that
the team will give me a very good car. I am happy to join the team with
the history and all the great things. I want to finish this year as
best as I can and see what happens next year."
Raikkonen has been at McLaren since the 2002 season, and he has finished runner-up in the championship twice, in 2003 and 2005.
The Finn believes it was the right moment to move to Ferrari.
"I guess there are many reasons but I have been five years in
McLaren, they are a great team and nice people but in the end I wanted
something else," he added. "There were only two choices, to stay at
McLaren or choose Ferrari. I wanted to go there one day, this was the best moment, and there will
be people I miss at McLaren but that is the way it goes."
Although Raikkonen will have big shoes to fill in as Schumacher’s replacement, the Finn has shrugged off the comparison.
"Not really. It is a nice place to go and the team will expect a lot and the fans too, but I also expect a lot from the fans.
It is different. I came to McLaren when Mika (Hakkinen) was world
champion twice and it was not easy, but I will go there, do my best and
hopefully it will be enough for everybody."
and hopefully we can do it next year," said Raikkonen after finishing
in the second place at the Italian Grand Prix.
We need to work as hard as we can and I have full confidence that
the team will give me a very good car. I am happy to join the team with
the history and all the great things. I want to finish this year as
best as I can and see what happens next year."
The Finn believes it was the right moment to move to Ferrari.
McLaren, they are a great team and nice people but in the end I wanted
something else," he added. "There were only two choices, to stay at
McLaren or choose Ferrari. I wanted to go there one day, this was the best moment, and there will
be people I miss at McLaren but that is the way it goes."
It is different. I came to McLaren when Mika (Hakkinen) was world
champion twice and it was not easy, but I will go there, do my best and
hopefully it will be enough for everybody."
From http://www.mclaren.com :
THANK YOU KIMI
Kimi Raikkonen and Team McLaren Mercedes have enjoyed a successful
relationship for the past five years achieving nine victories, ten pole
positions and scored 321 World Championship points. Only two drivers in
Formula 1 at the moment enjoy longer relationships with their teams
than Kimi and Team McLaren Mercedes.
The team has a number of options for the remaining seat alongside World
Champion Fernando Alonso for 2007 and will make an announcement prior
to the end of the year.
Following today’s announcement regarding his future, the Team would
like to thank Kimi for his contribution and wish him the very best.
Whilst Kimi’s 2007 plans are now announced both Kimi and the Team
recognise there is still a job to do this season and will continue to
push hard.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"Whilst I have taken the decision to leave Team McLaren Mercedes, I
want to stress that I really enjoyed my time with the team. I have the
deepest respect for everybody and will be giving my all in the
remaining races."
RON DENNIS, TEAM PRINCIPAL, TEAM McLAREN MERCEDES
"I have enjoyed working with Kimi over the past five seasons and as a
team we have achieved a lot of success. He is a very special driver and
obviously everybody at McLaren wishes him all the best in his future
career. Looking forward we remain confident that our 2007 line-up will
be a strong and exciting one."
NORBERT HAUG, VICE-PRESIDENT, MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORSPORT
"We worked with Kimi for five years and during that time he has become
a great racing driver. On behalf of DaimlerChrysler and our premium
brand Mercedes-Benz I would like to thank Kimi for all that he has done
for us and I wish him well for the future. I am sure we will continue
to have great respect for each other and will remain friends."
Saturday, Qualifying
Kimi suprises everyone by taking pole position for the grand prix tomorrow, with Michael behind him in 2nd, Heidfeld in 3th, Massa in 4th, and Fernando Alonso in 5th. It came as a climatic build up to the championship race between Michael and Fernando tomorrow, with the anticipated announcement from Ferrari following the race. Speculation, speculation and more speculation, claims Kimi to be Ferrari bound, yet McLaren aimed to put Ferrari in the shade and let Kimi stand forth. This came as an emotional impact on Ferrari, Michael, McLaren and Kimi himself. To Ron Dennis’ delight of beating Ferrari in their own back yard, perhaps this was a bitter sweet moment of payback. Payback for what exactly? He proclaimed the speculation of Ferrari announcing Kimi in their 2007 line up was just that, speculation, and he had a wry smile on his face.
The man on top of the title, Alonso leading it by 12 points, seemed to wonder into daydreaming of beating Michael so badly infront of his most beloved crowd, as he drove straight past the first chicane, braking late. An even more bizarre moment followed as his right rear tyre deflated and came off! He had to hurry back to the pits and hope that he can still qualify right behind the Ferrari’s if not infront of them. And he did, however Massa crucially being infront for Ferrari and Michael’s title hopes. To make the end of qualifying more so suprising was the superb performance of BMW with Heidfeld making a promise to continue being a familiar face up front, and rookie Kubica keeping the two cars not too far off each other in 7th.
Tomorrow shall be a race to remember indeed, and whatever the outcome, I can be proud to shout "KIMI!!! KIMI!!!KIMI!!! KIMI!!! KIMI!!! WOOO!! BOO YEAH!!!!! BOOOO YEAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
FUCK ISRAEL 