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Post by TennisHack on Mar 21, 2004 12:49:10 GMT -5
Kimi's "race reaction"
“It's never nice not to finish a race, not only for me but also for the team. However, whilst we need to become even more competitive at least we have taken a step in the right direction, and I know everybody will continue their efforts to improve even further.
"We were close to getting on the podium today, but in my second pitstop we struggled to get the fuel nozzle to come off, so we lost important time to BAR and Jenson could take third. A few laps later something broke in my transmission, and that was the end of that. I'm now hoping that we can take another step in time for the next race in Bahrain.”
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Post by Lee on Mar 25, 2004 17:00:10 GMT -5
Hardly see Kimi smiles like this!
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Post by Lee on Mar 25, 2004 17:14:57 GMT -5
A little bit more info about Kimi's finance. She was Miss Scandanivian (?sp) a few years ago and they know each other for 3 years. While Kimi is only 178cm, Jenni is 183cm. Poor girl can hardly wear high heels
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Post by TennisHack on Mar 25, 2004 18:17:57 GMT -5
LOL, she looks very dominant in that picture! I wonder if she wears the pants in that relationship It's nice to see him smile, especially considering his results this year. Thanks for the pics, Lee!
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Post by Lee on Apr 2, 2004 19:43:46 GMT -5
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 1: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and McLaren in the paddock during the previews to the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain Racing Circuit on April 1, 2004 in Sakhir, Bahrain (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) A cool one
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Post by Lee on Apr 2, 2004 19:46:03 GMT -5
And a HOT one When will he find a plastic surgeon to fix that ugly scare?
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 3, 2004 15:21:31 GMT -5
from crashnet:
McLaren stalls Kimi to optimise race chances.
Kimi Raikkonen's fortunes get no better, and the Finn will start the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix from the very back of the grid. However, this time, it was a McLaren team decision rather than a mechanical problem that was to blame.
Having lost any chance of points in the opening two rounds of the year due to engine problems, another enforced V10 change on Friday meant that, whatever he managed in qualifying, Raikkonen would be demoted by ten places on the final grid. As a result of that information - and analysis that suggested that the Finn would only manage something like tenth place on merit, team boss Ron Dennis elected to send his charge out for a single installation lap before returning to the pits.
"We have to look at our overall plan," he told journalists at the new Bahrain International Circuit, "and, if we are not going to be in the top ten [on the grid], our thinking changes. It is the right decision to make sure we start the race in the best possible shape - and that means a new set of tyres and full fuel load. We would only have qualified tenth or eleventh [before being demoted by the penalty], so it is better to be at the back of the grid in a car that will allow Kimi to fight."
Raikkonen himself was resigned to the decision.
"As we had to change my engine yesterday, we knew that, no matter where I qualified, I would have to move ten places down [the grid]," he explained, "As a result, we decided to change our tactics so that I can start with a good fuel load and new tyres.
"Hopefully, this strategy will pay off tomorrow, but we will have to wait and see. In motor racing, anything is possible - I will do my best and, hopefully, we can do well."
Team-mate David Coulthard underlined the decision by putting the second McLaren tenth on the grid after complaining that the MP4-19 lacked the pace to cope with the cars ahead of him.
"Our difficult weekend continues, as we have just not been able to get the package working to our advantage," the Scot sighed, "The car feels okay through corners eleven and twelve but, apart from that, it's really difficult to find the speed.
"The plan for tomorrow's race is to get a good start and gain a couple of places, and then keep out of trouble and aim for reliability. The circuit is quite challenging, and I do like it, but I believe there is only a limited amount of overtaking opportunities, so we will have to wait and see."
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 4, 2004 14:18:43 GMT -5
McLaren plumbs the depths
Neither McLaren-Mercedes saw the chequered flag in the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix, as both Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard retired with engine-related problems.
For Raikkonen, it was his fourth such problem in three grands prix meetings, having already been docked ten grid places after an engine change on Friday and dropping out of the Australian and Malaysian GPs with failures. In Bahrain, the Finn retired after eight of the race's 57 laps due to a fiery engine failure, having earlier made a good start and enjoyed a spirited scrap with Jaguar rookie Christian Klien..
"I started the race from last, but made a good start and gained quite a few places during the first couple of laps,” Raikkonen said, reviewing his short race, "I was battling with one of the Jaguars for eleventh but, all of a sudden, I lost power and my engine went.
"There is not really anything else I can say or do. I just want to forget this weekend and look forward to the rest of the year."
Team-mate Coulthard came into the pits on lap 50 after suffering a loss of pneumatic pressure in his Mercedes V10, and then stopped at the end of the pit-lane after an unsuccessful effort to repair the problem.
The Scot had qualified tenth and improved one place by the end of the opening lap. However, after dropping back behind Mark Webber, the pair enjoyed a close battle, settled at one time by a race out of the pits. It was while running eighth, that he came into the pits for the final time, missing out on a championship point.
"The entire team is disappointed with the weekend's performance," admitted Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug, "We still have to investigate the reason for Kimi's engine failure, but know that David's retirement was caused by the loss of air in the pneumatic system of the engine.
“We now have to work even harder together as a team to put every effort into improving our reliability and competitiveness."
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Post by Lee on Apr 6, 2004 18:50:13 GMT -5
Being in love definitely makes a difference. With all the awful results in this year, the 'ice man' can still smiles like this
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 6, 2004 22:13:20 GMT -5
He's been in love for awhile or at least, he's been wearing that ring on his left hand for awhile. Hehe, Finns are pretty friendly it appears, so maybe its part being totally in love and part being an easy-going Finn Either way, I like his smile
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Post by Lee on Apr 6, 2004 22:25:59 GMT -5
He's been in love for awhile or at least, he's been wearing that ring on his left hand for awhile. Hehe, Finns are pretty friendly it appears, so maybe its part being totally in love and part being an easy-going Finn Either way, I like his smile May be I should say being 'engaged' instead of 'in love' Engaged thus push the relationship to another level.
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Post by TennisHack on Apr 22, 2004 22:16:50 GMT -5
from Crashnet:
Kimi Raikkonen's lap of Imola
Team McLaren-Mercedes #1 driver Kimi Raikkonen describes a lap of Imola - site of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix...
"Accelerating hard along the short pit straight at Imola, you reach 180mph / 289kph in seventh gear as you wind through the scenic Italian countryside.
"You brake hard for the left-right-left Tamburello chicane, which is negotiated at 75mph / 125kph in second gear through the left-hand entry. You lift slightly for the middle of the chicane, a right hander, and as you exit the final left flick, you push hard and flat on the throttle, achieving a speed of 185mph / 296kph in seventh gear along the straight that leads to Villeneuve.
"The left-right chicane is taken at 105mph / 170kph in third gear. A short burst of power takes you down to the tight left hairpin of Tosa, which is negotiated at 55mph / 88kph in second.
"On the exit you climb up the hill towards the flowing Piratella. Powering up through the gears, you reach 175mph / 281kph in sixth gear along the straight before hitting the brakes for the 125mph / 201kph bumpy left-hander.
"The track then drops downhill, this sees you reach some 165mph / 265kph in sixth gear before dabbing the brakes for the slight left hand flick before braking hard for the bumpy right of Acque Minerali, which is taken in second gear at 70mph / 110kph. Accelerating out of the Acque Minerali, your speed increases to 165mph / 270kph in sixth gear on the straight that leads you to the Variante Alta.
"This chicane is negotiated at a minimum speed of 75mph / 125kph in third gear and sees the cars riding the curbs quite hard.
"This leads you onto another straight, which sees your speed increase to 178mph / 286kph in seventh gear. Braking for Rivazza is quite difficult and hard for the brakes as the track drops downhill, the double left swings you round 180 degrees and is taken at 60mph / 100kph in second.
"On the exit you accelerate hard along the Variante Bassa straight, which sees you reach 180mph / 290kph in seventh before braking hard for the right-left flick of Traguardo. Taken in second gear at 59mph / 94kph, the final chicane flicks you back onto the start-finish straight to begin another lap..."
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Post by TennisHack on May 29, 2004 21:13:38 GMT -5
Kimi qualified in 4th at the European GP! Qualifying quote: Kimi Raikkonen: "Our best qualifying performance this season, so I'm satisfied. We were even hoping to get in the first three with a perfect lap but, whilst we were close, it wasn't to be. Now one half of the job has been done, and we need to see what happens in the race, but so far it's looking good.” “The circuit seems to suit our car, as we have showed improvement throughout the weekend, but there is still a race to complete."
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Post by TennisHack on May 29, 2004 21:16:20 GMT -5
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=92863Raikkonen fourth some succour for McLarenSATURDAY 29TH MAY 2004 The McLaren-Mercedes team suffered the ignominy of losing another engine, this time in front of the engine suppliers 'home' fans in Germany, but were boosted by the performance of the hitherto unfortunate Kimi Raikkonen, who grabbed a second row slot. For once, it was David Coulthard who lost out when his engine went pop, a failure made all the more ironic as it followed immediately after the Scot had set the fourth fastest lap in pre-qualifying "It went on the way back to the garage after my first qualifying run," DC revealed, having climbed down from the truck carrying the stricken MP4-19 back to the pits. The team took the decision that it would be better for Coulthard to use the engine from the T-car in his original chassis, but not to take part in qualifying as he would still suffer from a ten-place penalty. As a result, the Scot will start tomorrow's 60-lap race from the back of the grid. "We took the decision to stick with my race car rather than using the T-car because we felt more comfortable using the race car, and the difference in actual qualifying position would be minimal," Coulthard explained, "As a result, we will move the engine from the T-car to the race car. It's disappointing, as my first run was encouraging, and I think we could have qualified well for the race, but there is no doubt that our performance is improving." Team-mate Raikkonen, who sat on the pole here a year ago, will start Sunday's grand prix from the second row, his highest qualifying position so far this season. "I'm satisfied," the Finn said, "We were hoping to get into the first three with a perfect lap but, whilst we were close, it wasn't to be. "Now one half of the job has been done, we need to see what happens in the race - but, so far, it's looking good. The circuit seems to suit our car, and we have shown improvement throughout the weekend. But there is still a race to complete...."
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Post by TennisHack on May 29, 2004 21:23:05 GMT -5
Finland's Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen gestures in the garage of his McLaren Mercedes team during the first practice session for the Grand Prix of Europe on the Nuerburgring circuit, western Germany, Friday, May 28, 2004. The race will be started on Sunday, May 30. (AP Photo/Daniel Maurer)
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 10, 2004 17:18:37 GMT -5
From crashnet:
Canadian GP preview - McLaren-Mercedes. THURSDAY 10TH JUNE 2004
Team McLaren-Mercedes have revealed that their 'realistic aim' for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix is to 'retain the modest performance improvement demonstrated at the Nurburgring'.
Speaking in the build-up to the Montreal event, round eight of the FIA Formula One World championship, McLaren CEO, Martin Whitmarsh, added that they hope to have cured the reliability problems, which lead to a double DNF at the European Grand Prix.
Last week the outfit tested on two fronts, Kimi Raikkonen running in the 'new' MP4-19B at Silverstone, while David Coulthard, and test drivers, Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa worked with the standard '19' at Monza.
"Team McLaren Mercedes team has been operating an intensive programme of testing since the European Grand Prix," explained Whitmarsh.
"At Monza, David and Pedro de la Rosa have been working through our Canada-specific preparations, which have included a new rear wing package aimed to optimise the cars performance given the downforce requirements of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
"Our realistic aim for the event is to retain the modest performance improvement demonstrated at the Nürburgring. We believe we now understand the reliability issues that occurred at the European Grand Prix and are consequentially changing engine specification for the Canadian race.
"In addition to Monza, we have also run the MP4-19B, at Silverstone with Kimi at the wheel. We completed our planned testing schedule with the car, which is the next phase of our continuous development programme, and will continue its on-track proving process in the week following the United States Grand Prix."
Since the Canadian Grand Prix made its debut in 1967, the event has been held at three circuits.
The inaugural race took place at Toronto's Mosport Park, which hosted the Grand Prix a total of eight times, with Mont Tremblant, located to the North of Montreal, the location for the event in 1968 and 1970, before relocating to Montreal in 1978.
Coulthard loves the atmosphere at the Canadian venue, and while he admits he was far than happy following his retirement at the 'Ring, the Scot, like the team, is 'committed to turning' things around.
con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 10, 2004 17:20:14 GMT -5
"It was a disappointing weekend for us last time out at the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, but as I said at the time everyone throughout the team is fully committed to turning the situation around," he noted.
"The race at Montreal has a fantastic atmosphere and is definitely one of my favourite events. It is an interesting track to drive and although it is primarily a race circuit, some sections are road circuit and the Armco are therefore fairly close, giving some sections a tight feel in nature.
"The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is not, however, a slow venue, we hit some of the highest speeds of the season, including 320km/h along the back straight. Other characteristics include the dirty surface as the circuit is not regularly used. This leads to low grip for running on Friday, but you see an improvement during the course of the weekend."
Raikkonen meanwhile is on something of a high, especially as initial testing with the B-spec car went well last week. Looking ahead to this weekend, the Finn is out to repeat his qualifying performance of two weeks ago, which saw him line-up fourth on the grid.
"The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is largely made up of fast sections, either long straights or sweeping curves, broken up by slow corners and chicanes," commented Kimi, "because of the extremes of speed and slow corners, we have to run with a medium downforce set-up in Canada. I am hoping that we can do well in qualifying again, following Nürburgring, and set us up for the race.
"Since the European Grand Prix I have completed some 1,000 km with the team at Silverstone with the MP4-19B, it was a positive session and we are looking forward to continuing the cars' development after Indy."
Norbert Haug, vice-president Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, added: "Our programmes at Silverstone and Monza last week went well. During the first three days of the MP4-19B's debut test at Silverstone Kimi covered 215 laps and 1,100 km.
"In Monza David was testing the MP4-19 in preparation of the forthcoming Canadian Grand Prix and covered 1,100 km in total. Pedro added another 680 km on the third day.
"The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at Montreal features a bumpy surface, and the succession of long straights, tight chicanes and hairpins is very demanding on the brakes. Due to the fast circuit layout, which allows top speeds of more than 300km/h, almost 60 per cent of the lap is on full throttle. Our team's main objective will be to regain reliability and have both Kimi and David finishing the race."
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Post by Lee on Jun 11, 2004 17:21:37 GMT -5
Meeting the media in Montreal
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 10, 2004 16:56:04 GMT -5
McLaren pole at Silverstone SATURDAY 10TH JULY 2004
Kimi Raikkonen has been consistently quick at Silverstone these past two days and he confirmed that he and the newly updated McLaren could be quick when it matters, setting the fastest time in qualifying and starting tomorrow's British Grand Prix from pole.
It was a tense qualifying session with weather the factor on everyone's minds. First qualifying had seen the game of the majority of the drivers attempting to set the slowest time to get out early in qualifying two and avoid the predicted rain.
Indeed reports were coming in from nearby Buckingham and the M40 motorway that rain was falling heavily. Home hopes rested with Jenson Button and faith that the British skies would not deposit their load on the home of British motorsport.
First on track was Jordan's Nick Heidfeld. A crafty visit to the pits in the first session gave him this honour, and a solid if uninspiring lap gave him a 1m 22.677secs time; Not likely to threaten the front row.
Next on to track was to be Giancarlo Fisichella but the revised and quick C23 wasn't to enter the session and the Italian was forced to sit out, the team opting to conserve the car as it already has changed engine and will be docked ten places on the starting grid. Winner of the ‘who can go slowest' race in qualy 1, Christian Klien was to go out next. The Jaguar looked solid and save for running a little wide at Abbey Klien looked to have performed well until, that is, team-mate Mark Webber took to the circuit.
Webber, who's admitted to have been bloody frustrated this season and knows where he will be driving next season, though an announcement is not expected for a while yet, certainly drove in qualifying like a man who deserves a better car. His time, a 1m 20.004secs, was over 1.5 seconds quicker than Klien's.
Next on circuit was Marc Gene, and the Spaniard drove what he himself described afterwards as ‘a horrible lap,' saying ‘it couldn't be any worse,' and that's how it looked from the outside. Ultimately Gene's effort was only good enough for twelfth on the grid, not where you'd expect a Williams to be. Someone better do better tomorrow to keep his race seat.
con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 10, 2004 16:56:59 GMT -5
As a perfect compare and contrast exercise for the Williams top brass, Montoya's qualifier was smooth and composed. Monty's seventh place start tomorrow owes more to his running early in the session when the times were slower as it was to prove, otherwise Juan would have been further up on the grid.
Time for the man who started the ‘bad lap' scenario in the earlier qualifying session, Michael Schumacher. The Ross Brawn weather forecast had predicted rain and MS had opted for a dramatic spin rather than the mere backing off of nearly everyone else. There was to be no spin this time from the championship leader, though there were certainly more than one lockup on his flying lap. His time was still good, a 1m 18.710, though whether it would be enough for pole was open to question.
Sato next, and the flying Japanese hasn't looked quite fast enough yet at Silverstone, certainly not up to what he has shown on many occasions so far this season. And so his qualifier was to show, he looked slow after the fury of Schumacher's lap. Could it be the BAR is heavy on fuel? An eighth place start will be Taku's lot tomorrow.
Whether Schumacher's lap would be fast enough for pole wasn't a question that hung in the air for long as Rubens Barrichello was to show. Once again the Brazilian outqualified his German team-mate at Silverstone. That, more than anything else, should be sufficient to keep Silverstone on the F1 calendar, if not be reason enough to hold more races here. Barrichello's 1m 18.305secs was a good four tenths faster than Michael's time and presented a real challenge for those yet to come out.
David Coulthard's McLaren certainly could present no challenge to it, the Scot only managing a time in the low 19s, his first sector mark was already six tenths down on the Ferrari front-runner. Next in the session the Minardi duo set their times with Baumgartner looking scrappier than Bruni and the times agreeing with this appearance.
The first Toyota was out next, that of Cristiano da Matta. The former Champ Car champion looked to drive well in a car that simply isn't fast and the Brazilian will start from thirteenth place tomorrow. Team-mate Olivier Panis was to go out some five cars later and his time was only two tenths quicker than da Matta's, the Japanese concern's driver pairing always being very close.
Panis, having not raised any eyebrows with his qualifying lap, decided to raise eyebrows with his in lap by going so slow that the flying Felipe Massa next out had to lift to avoid him. Panis was to be penalised with his time disallowed for this discretion.
con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 10, 2004 16:58:08 GMT -5
Fernando Alonso was next on track after da Matta, though his efforts no matter how good, would be slapped in the face by the ten position penalty from his engine change. Given the prowess of the Renault getaways from the line, ten places could be easy meat. Alonso posted the sixth fastest time in the session, but will start down in sixteenth.
After Alonso came Kimi. Fastest Friday, fastest Saturday morning and fastest Saturday afternoon as it was to transpire. He pipped Rubens time by a mere 0.072secs. Enough.
Trulli was next out and the qualifying maestro managed to pip the time of his team-mate, though not quite enough to put him right at the front for the race, starting as he is from fifth place. With those Renault starts, and a BAR of Jenson Button that's probably heavier on fuel, don't count on Trulli being as far back as fifth come the first corner.
Pantano outqualified Heidfeld next in the session, though his lap didn't look too special. Then the Panis and Massa issue took place. Panis had driven well and was well off line. Massa had been looking fast until that point however.
Button was last out and the weather had held. Would the Brit be up to pole? He was fast at the first split, fast at the second. Just not fast enough in the final section. Third on the grid. Point for discussion though, Button could well be heavy on fuel just like BAR have done before. A win at home could well be in the offing.
Top ten:
1. Kimi Raikkonen 2. Rubens Barrichello 3. Jenson Button 4. Michael Schumacher 5. Jarno Trulli 6. Fernando Alonso (to be docked ten places on grid) 7. David Coulthard 8. Juan Pablo Montoya 9. Takuma Sato 10. Mark Webber
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 10, 2004 17:05:14 GMT -5
Pole position press conference --British GPSATURDAY 10TH JULY 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=95596Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes), Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) and Jenson Button (BAR-Honda). TV unilaterals: Q: Kimi, it didn't seem to be too long ago that you were midfield with the MP4-19, now we have the 19B. The car is obviously a quantum leap forward. Kimi Raikkonen: Yeah, definitely. Since we ran it the first time here in testing it was straight away better and hopefully we start to get results now. I think in the last race we had the potential. This weekend has been very good. The car is good to drive and hopefully we can score a good result. Q: Well, you were quickest yesterday afternoon, quickest in the two sessions this morning, it's looking very, very good for you. KR: Yeah, the balance has been good all the way through the weekend and what can I say? I am very happy for me and for the team because we had a very difficult start to the season so it's good to finally get some results and it is just the first few races now with the new car and I'm sure we can improve and made it even quicker, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. Q: As it happened, it didn't rain in qualifying. Do you think where you went out for qualifying hurt you? Do you think you could have gone even quicker if you had gone out at the end? KR: I don't think so. It didn't make any difference. Q: Kimi, how do you see the race going tomorrow, particularly if the weather is changeable? KR: A few years ago we had a very difficult race here, it was raining and then clearing up and there were all sorts of different conditions. It will make it more difficult for everyone. I'm not sure where we are standing against the Bridgestone runners right now because I don't remember when I used them last time. I think they are definitely stronger or better than last year but it also depends on how much it rains. We need to see how it goes tomorrow. We should have a strong car in the race and we are expecting to have a good result. Press conference. Q: Kimi, it has been a tough year so far but you are finally back on pole again. What does this mean to you? KR: Of course, it is nice to be in first place, especially after the start of the season being so difficult and not really finishing the races and scoring points, so it is very good for me and the team and we are very happy. Q: Can you win tomorrow? KR: We try. That is why we are here. I think the car, definitely, is much stronger in the race than the old one and we were quick in the last race. Q: Have you managed to compare it to Ferrari, to BAR and to Renault? KR: No, not really, only what we have seen in the last race and, okay, in the practice here but it is always different in the race. So we need to wait and see what happens. Q: Do you think changeable conditions would help you tomorrow? KR: No idea. We will do the best that we can in all the conditions and we just need to play it how it comes. Q: In that qualifying lap it was interesting because you weren't quick in the first sector but the sectors got better and better. Do you think you could have actually gone quicker? KR: I think so. You always can go a little bit quicker when you have a second chance but it was a pretty good lap. In the first sector we have not been as quick as maybe the Ferrari or some others but the middle sector has been good for us and now the last sector was also. You don't need to be, obviously, the quickest in all the sectors. Questions from the floor. Q: Kimi, do you think it is the right thing to do? Do you think it is good for the spectators? Kimi Raikkonen: I think the teams are not too worried about whether it is good for them because we try to do the best that we can and unfortunately sometimes it is not the best for the spectators but that is part of the racing and you are allowed to do what you want. And I don't know about the rules, so... Q: Anthony Rowlinson – F1 Racing: Kimi, can you just tell us exactly what changes have been made to the car to make you so much more confident in it and where the speed has been found with the 19B? KR: I was confident in the other car also but it just wasn't quick enough and you cannot make it quicker just by driving. At some point you can, but not all the way. This car overall is much stronger and much better. It has a better rear end and also the aerodynamics are different, the engine is stronger so basically the whole package is much better. So that is the reason. Q: Andrea Cremonesi – La Gazzetta dello Sport: Kimi, can you explain your emotion when you saw Jenson during his lap – he was the only one remaining to challenge your pole position and the people in the grandstands were shouting for him? KR: Yeah, it was normal because we are in England but I knew they might go quicker in the first sector because we hadn't been so quick there, then the middle sector was good for me and the last sector especially, so I knew as long as we are close after the second sector we should be okay and that was the case. Of course, you are always worried and I knew it was going to be close but it turned out to be good for us so I was happy. Q: Cedric Voisard – Le Figaro: Question to all of you, back on Matt's question, do you think the slow cars should be punished today under the article 151c? KR: I don't know. How can you judge if they were slowing down or had a problem? If I was two seconds off or three seconds off it doesn't mean that I was slow. The rules are not very clear, so you cannot really penalise them anyway. Q: Bob Bull – BBC Three Counties Radio: We all know that you have different strategies, but having seen the results of qualifying are you all confident your strategies were the right ones for the race? KR: We will see tomorrow after the race who was right and who was not. Q: Kimi, regarding the qualifying today, do you think your car is strong enough to win some races this year? KR: It looks like it is not possible, say, right now. But we will do our best as a team and it is only the second race with the car so it is the start of this car and we are going to get new parts for the next race and we can make it still quicker. So far it looks good but it always depends how well we get the car sorted out for the circuit. I hope that we can win some races. It is going to be difficult but we will see what happens.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 10, 2004 22:18:01 GMT -5
Photos from the pole celebration cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51046272.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1E82FB30A5A59317837757C85AE85A779BSILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and McLaren celebrates his pole position during qualifying for the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on July 10, 2004 in Northamptonshire, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51046270.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=538EA340DCCBB2AD219C4D81C154E933A9C30E9B9B114CE8SILVERSTONE, UNITED KINGDOM: Finnish McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen jubilates in the pits of the Silverstone racetrack after the qualifying session on the eve of the British Grand Prix, 10 July 2004 in Silverstone, UK. He won the Pole Position. AFP PHOTO LOIC VENANCE (Photo credit should read LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images) cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51046258.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1EB282ED988FB2FAAA7757C85AE85A779BSILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and McLaren celebrates taking pole position during qualifying for the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on July 10, 2004 in Northamptonshire, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51046256.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=E2399169AC85D6DE9A21091711E5AD1E4F1504A8E34DF0AF7757C85AE85A779BSILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and McLaren is congratulated on his pole position by Nobert Haug of Mercedes during qualifying for the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on July 10, 2004 in Northamptonshire, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 11, 2004 11:11:08 GMT -5
Kimi: We finally got things right on trackSUNDAY 11TH JULY 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=95637After leading the way in practice and qualifying, Kimi Raikkonen had to settle for second place in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone behind the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher. Raikkonen claimed his best result of the year as the McLaren team finally enjoyed a change in fortune after a difficult and frustrating first half of the season From pole, Raikkonen scorched away from the field but a combination of traffic following his first stop and some blistering laps from Schumacher meant the Finn lost the lead he had built. "It was good, the start was very good," he said. "I just tried and went as quick as I could, I think after the first lap there was quite a big gap already and I kept pushing all the time but then I was a bit unlucky with the traffic. I was stuck behind two Minardis for the first pitstop and this cost me way too much time. Every time when I came out with the new tyres I was always stuck behind someone but that's racing and at least we got the second place in there." Raikkonen's final chance to grab victory came after the safety car was deployed following Jarno Trulli's massive accident [see separate story], but two lapped cars in between himself and Schumacher at the restart effectively ended his challenge. However, after a season beset by problems, Raikkonen wasn't in the mood for complaining after visiting the podium for the first time in 2004. "We finally got things going the right way on the right track and got some results," he said. "All the hard work that went into the development of the MP4-19B has paid off. It's only the second race for the car so hopefully we can improve it. The outcome of today's race is very motivating for the team after the bad first half of the season." McLaren boss Ron Dennis was also delighted with the result and he believes that the team can build on the performance in the next race at Hockenheim. "Our underlying performance strengthens our belief that we have made a significant step forward," he said. "Kimi's qualifying and our general race pace are not so far behind where it needs to be in order to win. "This week we have intensive simultaneous tests at Silverstone and Jerez which should yield a little more pace, which we of course will carry forward to Hockenheim. In the end our weekend is a great boost for the entire team who have worked so hard to achieve the difficult targets that we had."
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Post by Lee on Jul 11, 2004 22:21:25 GMT -5
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Post by Lee on Jul 11, 2004 23:37:58 GMT -5
More happy face
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 12, 2004 9:11:30 GMT -5
Good to see the smiling face of Kimi. From sina.com Ahhhhh This was when he found out he made pole. It was a wonderful moment
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 24, 2004 22:18:59 GMT -5
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=96414Irvine: Hakkinen would be crazy to returnSATURDAY 24TH JULY 2004 Eddie Irvine believes Mika Hakkinen would be “crazy” to consider returning to Formula One. The Finn, World Champion in 1998 and 1999, is rumoured to be contemplating a return to the track with Williams being mooted as a possible employer with Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher both moving on for 2005. However Irvine, speaking in his regular column in Britain's Sun newspaper, believes that the former McLaren driver would be wrong to return to the sport. “I can't understand why on earth a former world champion would want to return to the sport three years after retiring,” he said. “And there is also the issue of why some teams are even thinking about wheeling him out for the 2004 season. “The answer, of course, is that there aren't enough good drivers around, there is a serious lack of world class drivers. I obviously rate Michael Schumacher. I rate Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello, Giancarlo Fisichella and even Jarno Trulli. But, to be honest, that's about it.” Although Hakkinen may feel he still has something to offer an F1 team, Irvine believes that his time way from the sport has seen technology rise to a whole new level – and that would make it a huge mistake to make a comeback. “It would be a huge mistake for him and whichever team takes the plunge,” Irvine said. “At 35, he is two years younger than Olivier Panis and only three months older than Michael Schumacher. But F1, on the technical side, moves at an unbelievable pace. In three years, some cars can be unrecognisable.”
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 24, 2004 22:22:56 GMT -5
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=96436All-silver second row in GermanySATURDAY 24TH JULY 2004 McLaren duo Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard will start Sunday's German Grand Prix - the 'home' race for engine supplier Mercedes - from the second row of the grid after another strong showing from the revised MP4-19B. Both drivers appeared on course to topple Michael Schumacher from provisional pole position before fading in the second half of the lap, but claimed third and fourth places respectively after Jenson Button was penalised for the engine in his BAR overnight. Raikkonen was also confident that, with the new car performing well in all conditions, he could take the fight to Schumacher on Sunday. "It was an okay qualifying, as we got the best out of the car, and I didn't make any mistakes," the Finn reported, "Our package is pretty strong, and we have been able to run consistently in race trim, so I'm confident that we should be able to fight for a good position." He also reckoned that he had a shot at becoming Schumacher's biggest threat right from the start of the race. "I think it's actually better to start from third than second here at Hockenheim, as you are on the inside," he explained. Team-mate Coulthard highlighted the work carried out on his car overnight, exchanging the spins that blighted his Friday practice sessions with a solid run to fourth spot that included the quickest opening sector of all. "I'm much happier with the balance of the car, and we have taken a significant step forward since yesterday," the Scot confirmed, "My qualifying lap was good, and I think I could even have been a bit faster. However, our pace has been pretty consistent throughout and we should have a strong race tomorrow." Both Coulthard and team boss Ron Dennis hinted that Schumacher may have had to alter his tactics in order to secure a good grid position against the dominant Michelin runners, and the Scot remained confident for Sunday's race. "It's always difficult to make predictions, as you never know what fuel loads the other teams are on, but I think we have a solid strategy, and I look forward to a competitive race," he said. Dennis was a little more abstract in his summation of qualifying, admitting that 'it's always tempting to deviate away from an optimum race strategy with a view to gaining grid positions'. "Only tomorrow will tell whether we have got it right," he said.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 2, 2004 20:54:07 GMT -5
Raikkonen ties the knotMonday August 02 2004 www.planet-f1.com/news/story_16765.shtmlKimi Raikkonen took himself off the market when he married his long-time girlfriend Jenni Dahlman on Saturday. Raikkonen and his 22-year-old fiancée, a former Miss Scandinavia, took advantage of the Formula One summer break to tie the knot in Finland over the weekend. The couple have been together for more than two-and-a-half years. A brief statement on the team's website read: "McLaren.com would like to send its congratulations to Kimi and his long-term girlfriend Jenni Dahlman who got married on Saturday. The couple tied the knot in their native Finland, and all at Team McLaren Mercedes would like to wish them every happiness for the future."
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