During
these tests at the Sepang circuit, the teams are allowed to use only
one car per day and the race engines are not used. All teams apart from
Spyker are present. Kimi will be testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, whereas Felipe will take testing duties for the team on Thursday. The test was extended for one more day on Friday due to the bad weather on Thursday.
> Kimi’s engine to be decided next weekend – "Hopefully everything will be okay," says Kimi, who may have to face a 10-position grid penalty, but its not the first time the Finn will have to fight his way up through the field in tough circumstances. In 2005, Raikkonen had 3 of these penalties which arguably cost him those wins (Frence and British GP). But on all occasions save Italy, he finished on the podium.
Kovalainen was fastest in the last day of testing at Sepang in
Malaysia. Behind him – Massa who is confindent: “We are strong and
fast.”
Times of the day:
1, Kovalainen (Fin/Renault) 1′ 35″767 (55 laps)
2, Massa (Bra/Ferrari) 1′ 35″808 (72)
3, Davidson (Gb/Super Aguri) 1′ 36″787 (68)
4, Rosberg (Ger/Williams) 1′ 37″002 (104)
5, Montagny (Fra/Toyota) 1′ 37″206 (78)
6, Heidfeld (Ger/Bmw) 1′ 37″318 (70)
7, Button (Gb/ Honda) 1′ 37″326 (37)
8, Hamilton (Gb/McLaren) 1′ 37″448 (43)
9, Webber (Aus/Red Bull) 1′ 37″338 (42)
10, Liuzzi (Red Ita/Toro) 1′ 38″542 (56)
11, Klien (Aut/Honda) 1′ 39″176 (25)
12, De la Rosa (Spa/McLaren) 1′ 39″303 (24).
< Testing video from Day 3
McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time on Thursday, in
the third day of testing at the Sepang track. The session was
characterized by changing conditions which made all the teams – bar
Torro Rosso – decide to extend the test a further day.
McLaren’s day wasn’t trouble free as Hamilton had an oil leak around
noon which caused his car to stop on track. Mark Webber was second
fastest, while Ralf was an encouraging third for Toyota.
Felipe Massa only managed the fifth fastest time in his Ferrari. The
event of the day was Nick Heidfeld’s fire on the BMW. Apparently it was
due to an oil leak which ended up in flames.
The times of the day:
Pos Driver Team Times Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.918 57
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:36.138 62
3. Schumacher Toyota 1:36.700 69
4. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:36.712 56
5. Massa Ferrari 1:36.947 64
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:37.070 71
7. Button Honda 1:37.472 92
8. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda 1:37.606 44
9. Heidfeld BMW Sauber1:38.551 35
10. Kovalainen Renault 1:39.654 20
Ferrari still way ahead – Heidfeld
"I think the top three will be like they were in Melbourne," said
Heidfeld, whose teammate Robert Kubica topped the times on the first
day of testing this week. "Ferrari are way ahead of everyone still. Then there is McLaren, and then there is us."
< Kimi with his closest friend, Toni Vilander. And it seems Kimi has a new tattoo around his right wrist, but it covers his imfamous smiley-sun tattoo so it might be a sticker tattoo. For more photos, check out the Photo Album.
On
Wednesday morning, after completing 61 laps it was Kimi who took his
F2007 fastest, ahead of Wurz’s Williams by around 4.5 tenths.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.268 61
2. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:35.702 114
3. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:35.712 87
4. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:35.751 81
5. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:35.887 111
6. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.115 69
7. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:36.306 63
8. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:36.563 36
9. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:36.578 86
10. Button Honda (B) 1:36.617 24
11. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:37.876 39
12. Speed Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.910 36
13. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.971 32
Interview with Kimi (28th March)
Q. How was the testing today?
KR: It was okay. We did not have any problems, so I think it was a good test.
Q. What was your programme?
KR: Just some new parts, new aero parts and just working for the race, really, making different things to see how the tyres work.
Q. Did you find the right set-up for both compounds here?
KR: We have very good set-ups. Of course we have almost two
weeks before the race, so it can be completely different. We have a
good baseline and we can start working on it on Friday when we start
the weekend.
Q. Do you think Ferrari will be the favourite?
KR: I don’t know, I think so. We have a good package, we were
very strong in the last race but you never know… We were unlucky as a
team in the last race. Anything can happen. We have to work hard and
try to improve our times, then we will be in a position to fight for
the win.
Q. No technical problems today then?
KR: No, we had no problems. The only problem was in the last race and it had nothing to do with the gearbox.
Q. In the last few laps of the last race you did not have the full potential of the engine, why?
KR: I think we used the full potential for most of the race
but we had a small water leak in the engine so the engine was getting
hot, and we had to cool it down. Hopefully it is okay. The engine has
been checked, we need to see what we do. We will decide on Friday or
Saturday, we are trying to look at the situation.
Q. Do you expect strong reaction from Felipe after Melbourne?
KR: I think he will be strong always, but that is normal and nothing new. We will see how it goes.
Q. Any thoughts on the new tests the FIA will do on the floor?
KR: I do not know if they changed the rules or not. If someone complains the FIA will tell us what to do.
Q. Will you have a new engine on Saturday?
KR: Like I said, we have to wait and see on Saturday. So far the engine is okay but we will see.
Q. Is there a big difference between the two tyres compounds?
KR: There is a difference but they are similar like they were in the firs race, so I don’t think it is a massive one.
Q. Compared to other drivers you did roughly half the number of laps, any specific reason for that?
KR: No, we worked well and some changes took more time but nothing is broken.
Q. You are happy with the work you have done?
KR: We found what we were supposed to do, so yes.
Q. Is there anything different you do to prepare for this race?
KR: No, it is just so hot here, not only for the driving but
also for the people who are working. It is more difficult but it is the
same for everyone.
Kubica
went fastest Tuesday morning, edging out Raikkonen by just over a tenth
of a second, continuing the competitive speed of the BMW from Australia.
Pos Driver Make Time Laps
1. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:36.187 92
2 . Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.302 54
3. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.334 89
4. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:36.826 82
5. De la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:37.106 60
6. Montagny Toyota (B) 1:37.267 73
7. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:37.389 72
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:37.609 82
9. Piquet Renault (B) 1:38.199 32
10. Speed Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.503 69
Kimi
Raikkonen took to the track today and worked mainly on preparation for
the race, which takes place at this track on 8th April. A total of 54
laps were completed, the quickest in a time of 1.36.302s. However, he had been forced to sit out of today’s test for two hours because of a hydraulic problem on his F2007.
Concerning
the engine used in Australia, it is likely that it will have to be
replaced for Malaysia. The track temperature and weather at the Sepang
circuit is more extreme in heat, therefore it is inevitable further
problems would arise with Kimi’s engine. Granted, this means Kimi will
suffer a 10 place grid penalty, just as Felipe had in Australia.
< Ferrari attach the speed measuring device McLaren used often in winter testing
FIA acts on movable floor controversy
After
complaints from McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, the FIA have clarified
bodywork rules on areas concerning the floor of the cars. McLaren did
not agree with Ferrari’s interpretation of Article 3.17.4 which is no bodywork, such as the floor, can deflect more than 5mm vertically when exposed to a 500 Newton load upward. Sources
subsequently revealed that the McLaren team were primarily concerned
about a spring device fitted to the front section of the F2007 floor.
(Kimi Raikkonen Space)
FUCK ISRAEL 