Fresh F1

Leading the F1 circus after first race for the first time in his career, Kimi Räikkönen started today’s testing session with a long wait, as Fresh F1 reported earlier today.

Because of hydraulic problems, Kimi was able to start the real work in afternoon with F2007’s updated aero package and was second fastest at the end of the day.

BMW kept up its impressive speed, especially when Robert Kubica set the fastest lap, just over 0.1 sec faster than Kimi.

It’s becoming apparent the fact that Ferrari will have to change Räikkönen’s engine with a new one before Saturday’s qualifying. When that happens, the Finn will be forced to start with 10 grid penalty.

Even if Kimi drove using only 18 000 rpm on the final laps, the engine overheated and most likely it will not take the stress of the torrid Malaysian GP.

So it’s better to play it safe, take the penalty and lose 4-5 points than lose everything.

Felipe Massa’s engine was replaced before Australian GP. He started from the back of the grid and came home 6th.

Source: Turun Sanomat (in Finnish).
Translation by Warwick.

~ by Wiz Kid on March 27, 2007.