Scuderia Ferrari Santander. Champion 2010?

ShadowChaser · Post time 13-5-2009 03:04 PM

Raikkonen to contest another rally

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen is set to contest yet another professional rally, his third of the year.

The 2007 F1 World Champion entered two rounds of the Finnish Rally Championship in the winter, driving a Tommi Makinen-prepared Fiat Abarth Grande Punto.

The Finnish media now reports that Raikkonen, currently 13th in the 2009 drivers' championship, will race the same car in the Rally della Marca on the weekend between the forthcoming Monaco and Turkish Grand Prix.

Taking place in northern Italy's Treviso region, it will be Raikkonen's first asphalt rally.

ShadowChaser · Post time 13-5-2009 04:28 PM

Nowadays we've grown accustomed to seeing Grand Prix racing pitch up in new, stunning venues. Over the past decade the F1 travelling circus has debuted in Indianapolis, China, Bahrain and this year the party will arrive in Abu Dhabi.

Ten years ago, however, there was genuine excitement at the prospect of seeing Grand Prix cars make an impact at the new purpose-built Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The track boasted state-of-the-art facilities and a circuit designed with good racing in mind. It was certainly going to be a weekend to remember and not just for the spectacular setting!

One man was to dominate the weekend's proceedings and for once he wasn't going to win the race. Having broken his leg earlier in the season at Silverstone, Michael Schumacher was called back to action by Ferrari to aid his teammate's (Eddie Irvine's) title charge. General opinion was that Michael had no intention of returning to action that season. After all, his championship hopes were over and he certainly didn't want to see his teammate end Ferrari's then 20-year quest for the drivers' championship. A phone call from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo soon changed all that.

As Michael enjoyed playing soccer in his garden, his young daughter spoke to Mr. Montezemolo on the phone. She told him her Daddy was outside practising his ball skills. With that news, the Ferrari president insisted that his number one driver return for the penultimate race in a season that saw six different winners from four respective teams.

Whether he wanted to be there or not, Schumacher made the opposition look decidedly average as he romped to pole position by a full second. It was an awesome performance that left most people speechless. One of these was McLaren boss Ron Dennis, who remarked, "It is a massive gap, and it makes your eyes water. He's a great driver and more than capable of doing something like that, but it is still difficult to come to terms with."

Ron's suspicions that the Ferrari F399 was running an illegal system prompted him to approach the sport's authorities. As the FIA's Charlie Whiting explains, "Ron came to me and said,'Schumacher has got traction control, he must have. It's impossible for a driver to be a second quicker than the rest of them.' Well, it's not impossible and we've always been convinced that we were 100 percent on top of our traction control checking methods." The team boss's protest was to set a precedent for a weekend of claims and counterclaims.

Such was Ferrari's dominance that Eddie Irvine lined up alongside his teammate on the front row. Behind the scarlet cars came the McLarens of David Coulthard and championship leader Mika Hakkinen. The flying Finn had decided to run the harder Bridgestone tyre, a decision which would affect his race dramatically. Completing the top six were the Stewart Fords of Johnny Herbert and Rubens Barrichello, fresh from their surprise victory at the previous race at the Nurburgring.

ShadowChaser · Post time 13-5-2009 04:29 PM

As the lights went out for the inaugural race, Schumacher set about ensuring his dominance of the race couldn't be questioned. The German was 1.798 seconds clear at the end of the first lap and a mighty 3.167 the next time around. He then did the job he was asked to do and allowed Irvine by on lap four. His objective was now to slow the pace of the field sufficiently to allow his teammate to pull away. Having had the same job done for him the past four years, it must have been difficult for the former world champion to hand over a certain victory.

Not that Ferrari had things all its own way. McLaren was using Coulthard as a spoiler and the Scotsman barged past his rival at turn two on lap four. "That was not part of the plan -- I didn't expect David to go down the inside. Perhaps that is partially to do with me being away for so long," Schumacher remarked afterwards. Coulthard set about reeling in the leader and was quickly on Eddie's gearbox. But it wasn't to last; the McLaren retired on lap 15 with a pump failure. It was a rare mechanical retirement for the Woking squad, which ultimately cost them the constructors' championship. Ferrari's reliability was already legendary in 1999.

And what of the reigning world champion? Mika Hakkinen was having a torrid afternoon stuck behind Schumacher, who was driving a tactical race. His frustration was evident when he waved his arm several times at the German. "Michael was not consistent in the fast corners. He was sometimes quick and sometimes slow, and accelerating in funny places. I had to be careful not to run into him," said a clearly displeased Finn afterward. At one stage Irvine had an 11.6 second advantage over his teammate but this was reduced to 5.1 by the time the Ulsterman made his final stop on lap 41.

There were some notable performers behind the leading quartet. In particular, Heinz Harald Frentzen stormed his way through the field, having started from a disappointing 14th place. The Jordan driver had won two races earlier in the season and had arrived in Malaysia as an outside contender for the world championship. He was rewarded with a strong sixth place but his championship hopes were long gone. For many, Heinz Harald was the driver of 1999.

At the front it was evident that Schumacher's defensive driving had served its purpose as the Irvine led F399s reeled off the final laps. Hakkinen, whose decision to run the harder tires compromised his race pace, found himself behind Johnny Herbert disputing third place with his former Lotus teammate. Herbert, seeking his second successive podium, defended his position resolutely but Hakkinen showed his class and nipped by with two laps remaining. It was too late for the Finn to do anything about the leaders and he finished ten seconds behind the winner.

On the podium, the top three showed varying emotions. Irvine was delighted but slightly embarrassed at the manner of his victory, while Schumacher was confident that he had assured his supremacy at the head of the F1 pack. Hakkinen was completely exhausted and unable to stand up straight on the podium. "It was the hardest race of my life. I was flat out all the way. Ferrari had brilliant tactics and I don't really blame them," remarked the world champion in the press conference. Irvine put a suitably humorous take on his race: "Michael's depressing. He's the best number one and the best number two!" It all meant that Eddie would carry a four-point advantage over Hakkinen to the last race in Suzuka.

ShadowChaser · Post time 13-5-2009 04:30 PM

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2009/mal/editorial/f1-2009-mal-hy-0009.jpg
Or would he? McLaren was convinced that Ferrari had finished the race on illegal tyres, which had exceeded the rules on tread depth, but the team declined to put in an official complaint. Then the real bombshell came -- the Ferraris were disqualified for running illegal bargeboards. There was the surreal sight of then-Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn, standing in front of the world's media with a ruler showing where the offending bodywork failed to comply with the rules. FIA president Max Mosley and McLaren's Ron Dennis got into a public slanging match. Bernie Ecclestone said the whole episode was "nonsense" and that the Scuderia should be reinstated. But that's another story altogether!
All opinions expressed in the Magazine Channel are those of authors only and not those of Motorsport.com.

ShadowChaser · Post time 13-5-2009 04:30 PM

rindunya

hyphrigian · Post time 14-5-2009 02:01 AM

The following is a statement released by Ferrari announcing their intention to withdraw from F1 if the FIA introduces a budget cap...

'Ferrari's Board of Directors, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, today analysed the first quarter results for 2009. Despite the current international economic climate, which has hit the automotive sector in particular, Ferrari's figures were in line with the record levels reached in 2008.

'Turnover for the first three months was 441 million euro compared to 455.7 million euro over the same period in 2008. The first quarter closed with a trading profit of 54 million euro compared to last year's 59 million euro.

'These results reflect the introduction of new models, in particular the success of the Ferrari California and the Scuderia Spider 16M, the constant growth in activities linked to the brand (e-commerce, licensing, merchandising and retail) and the company's continuing efforts to maximise efficiency.

'The Board of Directors also examined developments related to recent decisions taken by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile during an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on 29 April 2009. Although this meeting was originally called only to examine a disciplinary matter, the decisions taken mean that, for the first time ever in Formula 1, the 2010 season will see the introduction of two different sets of regulations based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters.

'The Board considers that if this is the regulatory framework for Formula 1 in the future, then the reasons underlying Ferrari's uninterrupted participation in the World Championship over the last 60 years - the only constructor to have taken part ever since its inception in 1950 - would come to a close.

'The Board also expressed its disappointment about the methods adopted by the FIA in taking decisions of such a serious nature and its refusal to effectively reach an understanding with constructors and teams. The rules of governance that have contributed to the development of Formula 1 over the last 25 years have been disregarded, as have the binding contractual obligations between Ferrari and the FIA itself regarding the stability of the regulations. The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, the continuity of the FOTA's endeavours to methodically and progressively reduce costs, and governance of Formula 1 are the priorities for the future. If these indispensable principles are not respected and if the regulations adopted for 2010 will not change, then Ferrari does not intend to enter its cars in the next Formula 1 World Championship.

'Ferrari trusts that its many fans worldwide will understand that this difficult decision is coherent with the Scuderia's approach to motor sport and to Formula 1 in particular, always seeking to promote its sporting and technical values. The Chairman of the Board of Directors was mandated to evaluate the most suitable ways and methods to protect the company's interests.'

sumber dicilok dari www.planet-f1.com

[ Last edited by hyphrigian at 14-5-2009 02:08 ]

ShadowChaser · Post time 14-5-2009 10:57 AM

Eurosport - Wed, 13 May 17:40:00 2009

Ferrari will race in other series if they quit Formula One at the end of the year and the fans will follow them, president Luca di Montezemolo said.

The Italian team, the sport's oldest and most successful, said they would not enter the 2010 championship unless plans to introduce a budget cap are abandoned.

Toyota, the two Red Bull teams and Renault have made similar threats given that the plans would allow capped teams to operate with far greater technical freedom than those continuing with unlimited budgets.

"If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where - and I am absolutely convinced about that - they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans," Montezemolo told the Ferrari website.

"Racing is part of Ferrari's DNA and this is something that will never change."

Media reports have speculated that the Formula One champions might set up a rival series, compete in the United States, or enter cars in the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen said it would be a big blow not to have Ferrari in Formula One but they understood the reasons why.

"Since I was a child, Ferrari has been the synonym for racing for me," said Massa.

"That's why I'm convinced that even if the Scuderia is forced to leave Formula One, there will be other competitions where it will be possible to admire the Reds on the track."

"I understand the motivation, why the company got to this point. The idea of having a championship with two velocities, with cars, which for example are allowed to have flexible wings or an engine without a rev limiter, is absurd."

Raikkonen, who enjoys rallying in his spare time, echoed his Brazilian team mate's comments.

"It's difficult to think of a Formula One without Ferrari," the Finn said. "But I can't imagine drivers racing each other on the track with cars built according to different rules.

"If that should happen, it would be too bad and I understand that a company like Ferrari is thinking about racing somewhere else."

The FIA headed by Max Mosley, wants to introduce an optional

weta_studio · Post time 14-5-2009 04:18 PM

org finland ni berbakat gak berlumba dalam trek ngan rally

weta_studio · Post time 14-5-2009 04:20 PM

Takkan nak join series bawah FIA kot

akughi · Post time 15-5-2009 12:27 PM

fan ferarri paling ramai

berbanding team lain..

kalo ferarri tak de make ramai la

peminat F1 yg lari... so bisnes F1 pun

kemungkinan blh jatuh...

FIA nak jugak ke wat rules baru ni

w/pun dia tau akibatnye

akughi · Post time 15-5-2009 12:28 PM

kalo byk team elit tak de thn depan

aku tak nak gi sepang lg la

ShadowChaser · Post time 17-5-2009 08:23 PM

Originally posted by akughi at 15-5-2009 12:27 PM
fan ferarri paling ramai

berbanding team lain..

kalo ferarri tak de make ramai la

peminat F1 yg lari... so bisnes F1 pun

kemungkinan blh jatuh...

FIA nak jugak ke wat rules baru ...

60 years of participation withou stop beb, 60 years of gathering fans around the universe ( actually aliens came to earth to watch ferrari compete in f1

)