A fan of a new car
I enjoyed this winter break even more than usual. I spent
most of the time with my family and friends in Switzerland
and in Finland.
Most of all I have also been training very hard and keeping myself fit in
different way for the start of the most challenging F1 season.
This is a very difficult season to start making predictions,
because of the massive change in rules this year. However, Ferrari has been
competitive in testing, but the real test for the new F60 will be in Melbourne,
when we are all back on the track at the same time with the same fuel load.
Only then we will truly find out just how competitive we
are. More or less we need some more races to get a better picture. Albert Park
is a special circuit and a special place, so, probably, it will take until Malaysia
to find out which teams are really ahead of others in the beginning of this
campaign.
Like always it feels great to start a new season. To put my
helmet on and to start to race is something we are here for. The amount of
testing has been restricted, but it has been fun, as always, to work with a
brand new car.
I am really looking forward to the new season and to start
racing again. It seems like a long time ago since the last race in Brazil. With the new cars it’s going to be very
interesting with all that development and changes.
When you’re doing well it’s even more fun. But so far we
haven’t done any races. It such a challenge to go to the first race and start
the season properly. Hopefully things will go the way we hope for this year.
The new car has much less downforce compared to last year so
it is slower in the fast corners. But the car has more grip in the slower
corners with the slick tyres. Overall the lap time is similar to last year.
Honestly I can say that I like the new car more than the car we had last year.
This is more fun to drive. It’s more like the racing car used to be some years
ago.
The KERS systems is very interesting. It’s very easy for a
driver to use. Hopefully it will help with the overtaking. The whole team were
positively surprised that the KERS systems seemed to be working well from the
first test.
Everybody expects to see more overtaking. I think it’s too
early to say, if the aerodynamic change will help, while following another car
close behind. We have to wait and see what happens.
For the driver and for the team it’s always nice to start
well. Especially if you look, how close the drivers’ championship has been in
the last two years. I won the 2007 championship by one point and the drivers
championship was decided by one point last year, too.
So every point counts. In 2007 I won in Melbourne,
but last year we had too many problems. The target is again to start to score good
points since race one.
During the winter break I competed in two rallies in Finland
with Fiat Grande Punto S2000. It was also a great fun and good practise for
racing. But now it’s time for the serious business of F1.
Yay! Kimi’s first column of 2009 is here! The man knows his game. I’ve got to say, he sounds even more intelligent and wise than before. Not to mention very excited. So while Melbourne is the first race, we have to wait and see till after a couple of races what is really going on with the teams and their cars. I’m relieved to hear Kimi say that the KERS is easy for a driver to use. I thought it’d be a nuisance, interfering with a driver’s natural racing instinct, but hopefully that won’t be the case.
I think the most invigorating part of this column has to be this – "Honestly I can say that I like the new car more than the car we had last year.
This is more fun to drive. It’s more like the racing car used to be some years
ago." Oh my God! If Kimi’s F60 is whatever he is saying it is, especially compared to 2008’s, I’m a very happy fan. (Read Kimi’s Finnish translated column, by Wolfie, in the comments.) Roll on 2009!
FUCK ISRAEL 
Hey note what Kimi says : " This is more fun to drive. It’s more like the racing car used to be some years ago." Racing car used to be some years ago. Is he referring to Mclaren? I am sure he is referring to Mclaren and how it suited Kimi’s driving style. This is a very very positive comment from Kimi and with this, i can now hardly wait for 2009.
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Hey, Saima 😉 I just read your idea about a toast to Kimi. It’s a great idea. But I think I won’t find any pics so quickly. I’s such a shame…Still it’s a great idea :)) I’m looking forward to see it 🙂
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Hi Saima. This is really a great and positive comment from Kimi to all his fans. I just can’t wait to see all the actions again, like Kimi mentioned..Brazil seems a long time ago! Roll on 2009 & keep flying Kimi!
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Hey guys, in an interview with Stefano Domenicali from Gazzetta dello Sport, there’s apparently a hint from Stefano that Kimi’s future at Ferrari depends on his performance this year:———-Translated Q&A with Domenicali (by AFCA at AtlasF1 forums)Q: We’re about to start again. With Ferrari having on problem less, the regulation that would make the driver with the most Grand Prix wins the worldchampion that is.Domenicali: ”What happened in the last few days seemed embarrassing to me. We wanted to have a greater difference in points between the winner and the others, instead everything remains how it was in 2008, we have to be patient.”Q: We’re now in the paradoxical situation in which Brawn is head of technical matters of the FOTA while at the same time his car has a diffusor that’s being questioned by at least 7 out of 10 teams. Is it legal according to Ferrari or not ?Domenicali: ”We’re convinced that some interpretations that have been applied do not correspond with the nature of regulations. And we expect the FIA to clarify its position on this matter as soon as possible. If the diffuser is deemed illegal then it should not be used, if it’s deemd legal then it’s up to the other teams, inlcuding us, to adapt as soon as possible because it’s an area of the car where you can extract performance.”Q: Brawn is a keen explorer of loopholes in the regulations, for years he’s been a point of strength for Ferrari. Do you now fear his smartness when it comes to interpretating the regulations ?Domenicali: ”I fear all of those that have great capabilities and experience. I fear Brawn because he’s a smart man. We’re well aware of his strong points, we know in which areas he can make an important contribution.”Q: Will you be able to prevent that the outcome of the Australian GP will be ratified 15 days later in a court of appeal which is what Mosley and Ecclestone fear for ?Domenicali: ”What is needed is a great sense of responsability by everyone. I hope this problem can be solved earlier.”Q: On what certainties does Ferrari rest upon for 2009 ?Domenicali: ”On the habit of fighting. Then we have two drivers that, for one reason or another, know that they have to do a good season. The car as a project seems interesting and there are good development possibilities.”Q: And what are your fears ?Domenicali: ”The reliability that we’ve paid for in the past. Also the way to manage the tyres, because if, apart from surprises, you always use the soft compound in qualifying then there’ll be a greater difference between the two types of tyres during the race. And then we have to develop the car without having the possibility to test.”Q: And what about immedetiately knowing the amount of fuel the other cars have on board after qualifying ?Domenicali: ”It changes little. There will be a more important element that will influence the strategies: the fact that the speed in every pitlane has gone up to 100 km/h. So the pitstops will be faster. Moreover, we go back to the ‘free’ Safety Car system, in which everyone can go into the pitlane whenever he wants.”Q: What about overtaking ?Domenicali: ”The cars have been changed for the sake of overtaking. Will there be more overtaking than we were used to ? I have a lot of doubts. And then there’s the risk of many mini-accidents with the frontwings that have been become a lot bigger.”Q: What’s Massa state of health like ?Domenicali: ”It’s very good. He’s come to the point of complete maturity. Starting off (the season) a year ago there were doubts. Today he’ll tackle the championship to win it. And he can do it.”Q: Raikkonen ?Domenicali: ”I think he’s motivated and he’s lost weight, 3 kg is what they tell me. He has the perception that for him, as a Ferrari driver and person, it will be an important season. He’s intelligent enough to understand that.”Q: And it’s also important for you to evaluate the future, right ?Domenicali: ”Certainly.”Q: What will be the key element in 2009 ?Domenicali: ”Keeping cool in difficult moments. Let’s take KERS: some will have it, others won’t because of its weight, its reliability or something else. I don’t know whether it will make a difference in absolute terms. In relative terms it will. And then the development: months of work in the windtunnel can really make for a big advantage this year.”Q: Will Ferrari use KERS at each GP ?Domenicali: ”Never say never, but at the moment we intend to always use it.”Q: Will there be other title contenders apart from Ferrari and McLaren ?Domenicali: ”Toyota, they’ve made a lot of progress, BMW Sauber and there’s Red Bull who have a nice design of their car.”Q: In what way has your footprint been different from that of Todt ?Domenicali: ”We’re talking about persons of a different age and a different approach. I’ve paid a lot of attention to all the resources and to all the people that are around me. There’s an open discussion but at the end of the day I take the decisions.”Q: Are there a lot of fights within Ferrari ?Domenicali: ”There are discussions. No fights.”Q: Who’s your best friend amongst your enemies ?Domenicali: ”Last year the relationships with all the so-called enemies have improved. I have a very open relationship with Briatore, we talk to each other several times a day. From a technical point of view I also talk a lot with Whitmarsh.”Q: What about those that are most difficult to tie up with ?Domenicali: ”Today the relationship with Dennis is normal again. Before, whether seen from our side or from theirs, it was even difficult to say hello.”Q: For the future of Formula 1 do you think it’s better to have Mosley or Todt as the president of the FIA ?Domenicali: ”From a personal point of view I think Todt is a person that knows well how to interpret the role he has to fulfil, in all its challenges. Having worked alongside him I know him better than Mosley. If it were to be a fight between the two I certainly wouldn’t disregard Jean.”Q: Did salaries go down within the Gestione Sportiva due to the economic crisis ?Domenicali: ”No, they’ve gone up. But we will no longer see salaries that we’ve seen in the past, also the recent past.”Q: Do you refer to Schumacher ?Domenicali: ”To others also.”———————————Some fans are worried and are taking Stefano’s comments too seriously, but I doubt they’re threatening Kimi like that. He won the title in his first season with them. He was winning and leading early in the 2008 season. Something went wrong, which was bound to happen as part of the learning curve between Ferrari and Kimi. Now they’ve worked on it and have fixed it, as teams and drivers should do – what’s the big deal with that. So why would Ferrari/Domenicali threaten Kimi’s contract? it doesn’t make sense to me.Anyways, nothing should dampen Kimi’s spirits and I’m sure he’ll do a good job this year! 😀
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i don’t think we have to fear what Domenicali have said, it seems normal to think that Kimi has to win, that’s the target afterall, for him and for the team! this is his job! and indeed, Kimi is intelligent, and a really good driver so with what he said himself, liking more the F60, i absolutly don’t doubt that we will see him on top, and we wil not see again this type of comment from Domenicali, letting suggesting anything that everyone can interpret like he wants… and so that concerns Massa too, coz his contract will end in the same time than Kimi so … let’s wait and see!!!! ;)i’m confient in Kimi and i’m sure they are too!we can count the hours now until the start!!i’m really excited !!Keep flying Kimi!
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Hey:) I’m really happy to hear from Kimi itself that he likes this car better, than last years…. About Domenicali’s comment, I agree that we don’t have to fear, the media is once again exaggerating… but keep flying Kimi :D:D
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Yes Saima. I read about Stefano’s hints last night and hate to say that I got worried too…We haven’t seen enough of Kimi’s talent and Ferari should have a better picture of what exactly happened to Kimi’s 2008 season. Agreed, nothing can dampen Kimi’s spirit and he will continue flying…….
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Hey notice Domenicali’s comments : Q: Do you refer to Schumacher ?Domenicali: ”To others also.”I bet he’s referring to Kimi here and his package with Ferrari. What do you guys think?
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i think so too Hasan!! of course!! Kimi is the best paid of the F1 drivers!! his salary makes speaking around! and with cost cutting, Kimi has to be number one… but even if it’s incredibly much, he deserves it, he’s their world champion and we will be soon again!
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When I read Stefano’s comments ,yes I’m really worried about that. But just like " marilyne "said: everyone can explain the meaning as he wanted.Now I don’t care about that anymore. Sometimes I really hate the press ,especially italian and spanish press. They seem to want Kimi leaves Ferrari. The italian and spanish press really suck.I hope that Kimi can enjoy every race and fight just for himself not for the press.I’ll never let the press hurt Kimi.Kimi:if you can see this,I want to tell you that I’m so happy to be your fan. Please do not put a lot of pressure on yourself. I know that you always do your best in the races,and that just enough for me.In my heart, you are the best F1 driver.Kimi GO!!!
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Kimi’s Finnish column translated by Wolfie! :)—————-THE GOAL IS TO GET A GOOD STARTThe winter break was better for me than it has been for a long time. When they reduced the testing I spent more time with my family and pals in Switzerland and in Finland. I have been guarding the weights and trained more than in ages. I have really good feelings when going into the new season.I’ve been around so long that I won’t promise anything beforehand. Experience has proven it before too. One should just go race by race and look afterwards what one has accomplished.There has also been that kind of swings on the regulation department that it’s a pure waste of time to start predicting anything. In testing some have gone faster some day than the others but it’s no use to draw any conclusions based on that.The only thing that matters is when every car is on the same line in Melbourne. Then you can see who has succeeded during the winter and who hasn’t. Albert Park is that kind of a special place for real that you can’t even based on that either know who is fast and who isn’t. You will see it after 2-3 races.The cars are now different than before. I like this one better than the one I drove last year. This is more like a driver’s car. The slicks are a good new regulation and it doesn’t matter so much even if there’s less downforce when the aerodynamic pieces have been taken away.It’s always exciting to start a new season. The first race is the first real test for a new car. Even though we weren’t allowed to test like before the team did a really good job and we got the programs pretty well done. Sometimes the nature forces can come against you but the car felt better and better all the time.In Ferrari they get to work in peace. It’s important for all of us.There’s a lot of new stuff in the car. KERS seems interesting. At least it’s easy to use. Let’s just hope that it also helps in overtaking. The team has been positively surprised over how well we have got it to work ever since the beginning.We’ll have to see how we can follow another car closely with these new cars. We didn’t get any idea of it in the testing. It’s the real deal that shows what it’s like.Every driver and every team hopes of course that they would get a good race right in the beginning of the season. It’s always a better start when you get good points rather than dominate the race but have a DNF because of some problem.I won the opening race 2007 and last year again we has difficulties every day. In 2007 we won the Championship. The opening mattered much then too.Even though you wouldn’t make any predictions one thing is for sure, this will be a tough season again. The two last championships have been won with 1 points difference. It can’t be tougher than that. A racer always wants to win. It’s important that we find the right path right from the beginning. The goal is now to get good points from Australia. That’s where we a starting from.In the winter the team gave me permission to try some rally too. I drove two races. It’s real training for the F1-driver too and a demanding job. Now my thoughts are focused only on F1-races.We will go again at full speed and for real.—————————–
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