Fresh F1

Everyone is convinced that the second race of the F1 World Championship will be a Ferrari internal affair. Alonso: “They are the strongest at the beginning of the season”. Kimi: “Between me and Felipe [there will be] a close fight”

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5th 2007 - Malaysia is the second stage of a World Championship started in an animated way at Melbourne. Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are in the attention of all the Sepang paddock, where everyone is convinced that the Ferrari is ahead of all the others, that the Prancing Horse is uncatchable. The feeling in Malaysia is that the true challenge, this season, is not about Alonso and the McLaren, but is it all in the derby between the two pilots in red.

INNER CONTROVERSIES - the controversies return to hit Ferrari and they are a sign of the definite return to the favorite’s role. Last year Reanult’s mass dumper was in sight. This time, like in the `golden years`, the objective focuses on F2007’s anchorage system of the flat bottom to the car body: “We were legal in Melbourne, as always it will also be the case in Malaysia”, says the Ferrari. It is clear that, after the McLaren suspected Ferrari of trying an illegal device in order to increase the flexibility of the flat floor to an equivalent of 50 kilograms expressed in Newton, and to increase more therefore the aerodynamic load, not only Ferrari but all the teams had to make changes, in order to limit the flexibility. And therefore nobody even thinks (then maybe it hopes) that the F2007 can suffer from the novelty (innovation). From what it turns out, it increases the risk of damages only in the passages over the kerbs. And actually, at the check, no car has turned out irregular, neither the Torro Rossos nor the Super Aguris which Spyker labeled “clones” of Red Bull and Honda.

ENGINE DOUBT - The guideline, after the simulations, that the decision will be taken tomorrow [Friday]. Concerning the reliability problems that made Massa start from the back in Australia : “I’m not worried - the ‘Iceman’ says referring to the engine - if it is necessary it will be changed”. “The problem does not exist - Mass responds - mine was an accidental fact, it will not be repeated. And I think the engine can make it. With this heat everybody will have problems “. It is clear that the two know that the fight is among them: Massa continued: “I could have achieved what Raikkonen did. What happened in Melbourne is part of the sport, and now I am very motivated. It will not be easy, but we have everything in order to finish on top “.

ALONSO - Alonso also declare: “There’s nothing new - the McLaren F1 driver observes -. Ferrari are stronger than anyone at the beginning of the season and it surprised nobody. They came to Malaysia still favorite and are ready to win again “. Massa continues: “and I hope that Fernando is right”. Alonso also said, regarding the Ferrari flat floor , that “it is important that now the rules are equal for all of us”. “I Guarantee - Felipe answers - it was regular in Australia and it will be here as well. And the car that I have tested didn’t lose anything [after the change]”. Perhaps it will rain… “Good, we tested in the wet and we are strong in any conditions”.

KIMI SPEAKS - Raikkonen, as usual, is less loquacious. On Alonso that sees Ferrari as stronger: “We will see. We had good tests “. One could say that Ferrari is ahead because of its long term partnership with Bridgestone… “Everyone had long tests in winter” is the answer. They say that Renault is strong in the wet: “I do not know. I think the strongest two teams are always the same “. On the rivalry with Massa: “I will be tight”. There are also sayings that Alonso, Spanish, would have have an advantage on a Finn warmth-wise: “I run in Malaysia for six years now “. Kimi has a tattoo on the arm, made in Melbourne, after the race. What does it mean? “it does not mean anything”. Is it permanent? “We’ll see, I do not know what will happen…”, and this time at least he laughs. Finally, to the question on how he celebrated the first victory of the season, cuts it short: “I don’t think that what I did has something to do with the Malaysian GP”. Coldness? Heat? Of course the derby has flavors of northern ice and of `samba caliente`.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport.

~ by Wiz Kid on April 5, 2007.