Thursday at Monza; Interview with Kimi, Shell Commercial Shooting, Santander Join Ferrari

From Ferrari.com

Although most of the media attention in the
Monza Park centred on Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s newest driver,
Giancarlo Fisichella, his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen still drew a big
crowd of journalists in the Ferrari Media Motorhome this afternoon.

Even though the Finn always gives the same logical answer at every
Thursday meeting, the press still insist on asking him how the weekend
will go:

“We don’t know until Friday as usual, what we can do. This is the first time we tackle a real low downforce
circuit. The kerbs are new here and I think that can only be a good
thing for us. There are a lot of fans for us here, which makes it a
nice race for the whole team and I hope we can give them a good result,
hopefully a podium. For Ferrari it is a home grand prix, which makes it
special, but from my own point of view, I tackle it just like any other
race. There are plenty of Ferrari red shirts and caps and I do notice
all that when I’m out on track.”

Having won the last race in Belgium, the home crowd are naturally
hoping for more of the same:

“We have wanted to win since the start of
the year, but our car was not on the pace and I set myself the target
of winning at least one race. We’re still not where we
want to be in terms of overall performance and we are never going to
reach that point this year as we are no longer developing new parts for
the car. We will still be trying to win more races, but it won’t be
easy, as other teams are still continuing improving this year’s car.
Even though we have KERS and it should be very useful here, we have
seen there are other cars that have been very quick without it at other
races this year. It will be very close this weekend.”

It is fair to say that Kimi has never gone in for the “emotional”
side of the sport, so he had little to say on the subject of having
Fisichella sharing the garage with him:

“I know him as well as I know
any other driver: he is a nice guy and we have a good relationship,
even if it is the same as with any team-mate, which means we work
together for the good of the team, but outside the track, I don’t know
what he does and he doesn’t know what I do in my time. I’m sure we can
produce some good results working together for the team. Of the drivers
available, he has the best chance to do a good job because he has so
much experience.”

Kimi and Fisichella film new Shell commercial

 

View more video shooting images here

Santander Join Ferrari In 5-Year Deal
From Autosport.com

Spanish banking giant Grupo Santander announced on Thursday it will be the Ferrari team’s sponsor for the next five years.

The company, currently sponsoring McLaren, said it will be Ferrari’s "main" sponsor from next season.

The deal was announced in a press conference at the Monza circuit on
Thursday, when Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo was joined by Bank of
Santander president Emilio Botin.

"We are very happy to have a new partner like Santander, with whom
we are beginning a very important and long term collaboration," said di
Montezemolo.

"We share common values, such as striving for excellence, a passion
for competition, an international approach and, last but by no means
least, the colour red. These values will make this a fruitful
partnership, noteworthy around the world."

Ferrari: No concerns over driver situation

"We have two drivers, now three [with Giancarlo Fisichella], plus
also we are close to having Michael [Schumacher], so we have a lot of
drivers – this is not a problem for us now," said di Montezemolo.

When asked if 2011 was the earliest that the team could get hold of
Alonso, di Montezemolo replied: "You know, I never like to talk on the
driver side. Whenever we take some decision we will inform you in the
proper way at the right moment."

With doctors having confirmed that Felipe Massa will be fully fit
for the start of next season, di Montezemolo said he expected the
Brazilian to come back stronger than ever.

"He is back at home after the operation, which was basically plastic
surgery," said di Montezemolo. "And I think that maybe in one week’s
time he can start his personal training, although he is training a lot
with video games.

"We are lucky and he is lucky because he does not remember anything
of the accident, so he will be very motivated. I am sure he will be
quicker than before."