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[spankyham]

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[spankyham]

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[spankyham]

 wrote:">British GP – Raikkonen: “Carry on trying different things”

Silverstone, 3 July – It’s been well documented that Kimi Raikkonen has had some issues getting the F14 T to handle to his liking and this was the first topic on the agenda at his usual Thursday media session on a warm and windy day at the English track. “I am sure we are learning a lot and at least we now know where the issues are,” confirmed the Ferrari man. “The team will definitely do some things differently for next year and some of those changes we can also try this year. But it’s not a quick fix and once we get some more new parts to try, then hopefully it will go in the direction that we want.”

Therefore when it came to assessing his chances around the high speed corners of this weekend’s high speed track, the Finn felt there would be few surprises. “I think we are probably going to be in the same situation as at many of the races so far this year,” he maintained. “At the last race, we tried some new things that might not have worked well, but I wanted to try them anyway to see what effect they had. This weekend, we will carry on trying different things and gaining experience from that.”

Last weekend, Raikkonen was also in England, but in the very different surroundings of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he drove his title winning 2007 Ferrari, spending time in company with the legendary John Surtees. What did he know of racing in those bygone days? “I’ve seen films on TV and the internet, it looked like a different sport back then, certainly much more dangerous and in a way, more fun and more open,” he said. From the past, to the future, with a question about how long he might stay with Scuderia Ferrari. The answer was typical Kimi, short and to the point: “Until my contract is finished and then I will probably stop.”

As a Ferrari driver, the press wanted Kimi’s views on suggestions that the Italian GP at Monza might not be on the calendar much longer. “I can’t see how they would stop Monza,” he replied. “It would be very stupid in my view for everyone and for Formula 1. Hopefully it will never happen but we are not the guys who decide. Obviously for Ferrari, it’s an amazing place. I’ve never won there, but hopefully in the future it will happen.”

[spankyham]

 wrote:">British GP – Alonso: “Three things we must do”

Silverstone, 3 July – Two weeks ago we were in the spiritual home of the Red Bull team and now the weekend begins in the UK, the actual home for all but three of the F1 teams. But the first question asked of Fernando Alonso in his press meeting today, regarded Bernie Ecclestone’s comments that the Monza round might disappear from the calendar. “I think we need to wait and see what happens officially,” cautioned the Ferrari man. “I think Bernie just answered a question but it’s not official. As drivers, we don’t have an input on where we race, we just try and put on a good show. Of course, it’s nice to go to circuits where the grandstands are full, and full of passion and atmosphere, like Monza, like Austria, like Spa and Barcelona. Let’s hope the best for Monza.”

As usual with Alonso, he always looks at the bigger picture and clearly, Scuderia Ferrari’s position in this year’s Constructors’ Championship has been exercising his mind. “Here at Silverstone, I expect Red Bull to return to form as this is a circuit where aerodynamics is important and they show potential in high speed corners. Williams will also be strong, as I don’t think it was just Austria that suited them so we need to keep improving to get a margin on our closest rivals”.

As to his own future after his current contract with the Scuderia expires, the man from Oviedo claimed to have considered it. “I am not thinking too much about the longer term, because there are bigger priorities at the moment, I want to help the team and score as many points as possible this weekend and this year, because the interesting mix in the Constructors’ means you could finish second or sixth by the smallest of margins,” he said. “We need to improve for next year and there are three things we must do: one is we must score points this year, because if we finish sixth or seventh that will hurt the team for next year, for example on the economical side, second is to test this year, especially on Fridays, some parts we can learn about for next year and and third is to spend time with the team: on Sunday night I will go back to Maranello and spend all week in the simulator. There is no time to relax. This is a time to work, the team expect things from me and I need to deliver."

[spankyham]

These are hi-res images, click on them to see them in greater detail

[spankyham]

A few more hi-res images, click on them to see them in greater detail

[sagi58]

 wrote:">British GP – Raikkonen: “Carry on trying different things”

... “At the last race, we tried some new things that might not have worked well, but I wanted to try them anyway to see what effect they had. This weekend, we will carry on trying different things and gaining experience from that.”...

....“I can’t see how they would stop Monza,” he replied. “It would be very stupid in my view for everyone and for Formula 1. Hopefully it will never happen but we are not the guys who decide. Obviously for Ferrari, it’s an amazing place. I’ve never won there, but hopefully in the future it will happen.”

I love that Kimi doesn't whine about what could have been, this season.
He sounds like he has his nose to the grindstone and isn't afraid to roll
up his sleeves and get down to work!!

His comments about Monza are typical of his no-bull attitude!!

[sagi58]

 wrote:">British GP – Alonso: “Three things we must do”

...“I think we need to wait and see what happens officially,” cautioned the Ferrari man. “I think Bernie just answered a question but it’s not official. As drivers, we don’t have an input on where we race, we just try and put on a good show...

...“I am not thinking too much about the longer term, because there are bigger priorities at the moment, I want to help the team and score as many points as possible this weekend and this year...

...“We need to improve for next year and there are three things we must do: one is we must score points this year, because if we finish sixth or seventh that will hurt the team for next year, for example on the economical side, second is to test this year, especially on Fridays, some parts we can learn about for next year and and third is to spend time with the team: on Sunday night I will go back to Maranello and spend all week in the simulator. There is no time to relax. This is a time to work, the team expect things from me and I need to deliver."

And, there you have it, another example of why Alonso is a true leader!
He's not focussed on himself; but, on his team, since he accepts he is
part of a team!! He obviously recognizes that his own success hinges on
Ferrari's success and that his is just as responsible for that as anyone else!

Love it!!

[spankyham]

Great racing and passing by Alonso, but, for me, he ruined it with his complaining back at Vettel. I really wish he would just shut up and let his driving do his talking for him.

[spankyham]

[youtube]p-QgMqrFPhE[/youtube]

[sagi58]

Great racing and passing by Alonso, but, for me, he ruined it with his complaining back at Vettel. I really wish he would just shut up and let his driving do his talking for him.

He's really frustrated... it's starting to show in the cracks more and more...