Fresh F1

image: GPUpdate

Turun Sanomat, Silverstone

HEIKKI KULTA, by Warwick

Hunting after Fernando Alonso was just up to Kimi’s patience in the second stint.

“Of course I had to push hard all the time, but it helped when we knew that Fernando’s first stop was a short one. I just had to keep close enough. The most crucial laps came after he went in the pits for the second time. And I just did what I had to do.” said the Ferrari star.

When Räikkönen moved into the lead, he eased up and started to save his brand new engine for Nurburgring.

“Thank you for the great race and sorry for my mistake in the qualifying. ” Said Räikkönen to the team after crossing the finish line.

“Now, obviously I’m in a good mood. I’m happy for the win, I’m happy for me and for the team. We are back and heading the right direction. Our strategy was right, even though I made our life a bit more difficult than it should have been because of my mistake in the qualifying.” Kimi added.

“The car feels more and more comfortable. We have still some issues in qualifying, but I also have to keep the car on track. Fighting against McLaren will be tough ’till the end of the season. The purpose is to get the set ups right, and hope that everything works 100%. Then we will get the results we are looking for.”

The 18 point gap to Hamilton is still big.

“Oh well, the gap is smaller than two races ago. Now we just have to make sure the package remains as competitive [as it was here], drive good races and gain good points. Then the situation can change. Although, it takes only one bad race for us and we are back to where we were before the French GP.”

Next week Ferrari will test for 3 days at Spa. Massa will drive on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Räikkönen finishes the job on Thursday.

~ by sorind on July 8, 2007.