Kimi’s Column – Post Belgian GP

I bet every driver likes Spa. For me, it is the greatest racing circuit in the world. It is my favourite place – numero uno. That is for sure. I have loved the place since my very first visit there in 2000 with Formula Renault.

We were beaten in Monza, but now we got the Belgian Grand Prix in the way we wanted to. We gained more points to the leader than we lost in the previous race.

We expected McLaren to be competitive in qualifying also in Spa,  but Ferrari also expected to enjoy a better race pace.

It was a question of getting the set -up right. We went in our own direction.  We took less wing while we counted on that we wouldn’t lose too much in the big corners of the middle sector.

The qualifying was really tight. I had got a good start for the last lap and then I just tried to hang on there. I did not know the lap times before we had got the pole!

I had a really good feeling already on Saturday evening. We had a strong start and there was no reason to stress too much for that. Now we got the start right again in the race. Felipe came close but I had a better line and was able to get out first of turn one. The McLarens’ were fighting against eachother there. I’ve seen a replay of their incident and it was hard racing. But I did not see anything unfair.

As we approach the final 3 races, it’s going to be hard racing all the way. I really enjoyed the Belgium Grand Prix. After the successful start, I managed to go quickly enough to make a gap between Felipe before the first pit stop. The gap was indeed big enough after the first stop, and then it was a matter of bringing the car safely back home.

This win gave the best feeling for me. I was in a really good mood going back home. Afterwards, I enjoyed some good food and had a Finnish Sauna with some friends in Wollerau!

I am not going to be at the tests this week. I just have to put my neck in 100% condition for the next back-to-back races. I did not have any problems because of the neck, but it is still very stiff.

I will fly to Japan at the beginning of next week. I cannot say anything about the Fuji circuit, because I have never raced their before. But there is nothing to worry. I will walk around the place on Thursday and I can only learn the circuit while driving the F1 car on Friday.

Thirteen points in the gap to the leader. It is still a lot, but here we come!

Maybe Kimi should be at the tests, but we all know by now that he isn’t very keen on testing. As long as he is 100% fit, he can fly like the wing. Although he says there was no problem during the whole weekend at Spa, Ferrari’s reoccurring issue with the rear of their car seems a little strange – hopefully they will have fixed it for the final 3 races. In the Finnish version of this column, regarding Hamilton and Alonso’s racing at Spa, Kimi said "There the silver cars pushed each other. Must be very "warm" atmosphere in the neighbour." Hahahaha! If you want to go back over the whole weekend at Spa, download the already popular highlight video below! It’s all or nothing now, so keep flying Kimi!