Kimi’s Column: Turkish GP Preview

Ferrari have been fast in Turkey the last three times. This year Brawn
GP have won five out of six races and they are the favorites. But we will
catch them. We just have to squeeze 100 % once again and then we’re
closer – or pass them.


Getting into the top three in Monaco was a fair enough result. The team
really works hard and their motivation only grew now that we got both
cars into the top four.


In Monaco we made the biggest progress when it comes to the results. It
was what we needed from there. You just have to be patient. Me and my
fans surely want just as much that Ferrari would start winning again.


We have come close already. We get new pieces into the car again. This
is just like building a puzzle. We have the frame ready. Now we only
have to get the middle pieces in place. When they hit, it’s a’vot. (A
vot is an expression from Russia like ‘tadaa’ or the French ‘voila’)


Monaco is so different compared to other tracks. Turkey is a totally
new game. From there we will get a better picture of where we go and
how our competitors have done their jobs.


Turkey is a cool track. We drive counter-clockwise and if everything
isn’t in place there the neck will be screaming Hosanna. I dig the
place. The curves are all different and we take some brakings
completely blindfolded. It’s always cool to take that track.


In Monaco we were in the front row. In Turkey a good starting position
demands that the downforce is at least the same as Brawn and Red Bull
has. Aerodynamics are important for everyone but when the times are so
close every detail in quali is crucial.


From summer begins the middle-part of the season. I’m much more hopeful
now when we have got so much positive progress made. This team knows
it’s thing. The development pieces have come really quickly and you can
feel all the time that the car is better. And we aren’t stopping here.


Puttonen (Button) is leading and he has everything bagged when
you think of the championship. When you win 5 races out of 6 you are in
a strong position. But it doesn’t do you any damage if you try right
until the end. When the chequered flag is out for the last time, that’s
when you count all the final points.


I had fun on Saturday. We took the rally in Italy, my first on tarmac.
It’s always fun to drive and it was fun to spend some time with the
fans too. Of course the race could have lasted longer. Now it ended in
the middle but it happens sometimes.

That’s the right attitude! If you’re wondering why this column sounds so much more relaxed and funny than usual, it’s because it is from Kimi’s column in Finnish, which I believe are the words straight from Kimi’s mouth (the English ones are revised and edited, to sound more professional.) I’m even more psyched up for this weekend now. I have a feeling that Kimi will crush Massa in Istanbul. Everything depends on how smoothly Ferrari’s latest updates on the F60 at Turkey will play out. You can watch Kimi speak about this weekend on Ferrari’s website.