Driving Sports

Round Two to Raikkonen

On the anniversary of his first career win five years ago at the same track, Kimi Raikkonen led the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team to a dominating victory over the rest of the field for the Malaysian GP.  After qualifying 2^nd to his team mate Felipe Massa and having a drag race down to the first turn, the team mates were able to get away from the start cleanly and put the disaster of the Australian GP behind them.

In the first pit stop period both of the Ferrari’s were able to slowly create a gap to the rest of the field, arguably due to the McLaren team mates penalty during qualifying putting them back at 8^th and 9^th in the field. During the first pit stop exchange Raikkonen proved his Championship driving abilities and put down a blistering fast lap that allowed him to leap frog Massa and take the lead away. Later in the race Massa spun out into the gravel trap and gave 2^nd away to Robert Kubica of the BMW-Sauber team.

During the post race interviews Raikkonen commented on the start of the race, “I got alongside Felipe after I got a bit better start but I thought we don't want to risk between the team-mates in the first corner, and I decided to stay behind and try my move on the first stop and it worked out perfectly. We were pretty similar speed-wise, but once he went in my car went better and I was able to go much quicker on my in-lap and pass him. After that the car was handling perfectly and I was able to go away.”

After this result, Raikkonen has taken 2^nd place in the Championship to who will likely be his main competition outside of the team, Lewis Hamilton for the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes team.  Hamilton suffered from an unfortunate pit stop issue with his right front wheel that ended up costing him twenty seconds and an eventual 5^th place finish.

Hamilton takes Aussie F1

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first race of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship. After turbulent 58 laps (307.574 kms) with three Safety Car periods, Lewis won with 5.4sec ahead of Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) and Nico Rosberg (Williams Toyota).

“I feel fantastic – what a dream start to the season and my championship challenge. I am sorry not to have Heikki with me on the podium as a one-two would have been a great reward to the team.  It was a super race which I controlled from the beginning. I was able to drive at a steady pace without feeling any pressure which is always the ideal situation when you are leading. The three Safety Car periods meant that there was never time to relax and the whole situation was a bit like Canada last year when I claimed my first victory. We constantly had to change our strategy and the strategists were on the ball throughout which was super. The car is fantastic to drive and the team has done a superb job. I have prepared much better this year than last and it’s important that myself and the team continue to push hard in the months to come,” Hamilton said.

AMG/Mercedes to Supply F1 Medical Cars

With the new Official F1™ Safety Car and the new Official F1™ Medical Car, Mercedes-AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, is launching into the 2008 Formula 1 season.

The Safety Car, based on the SL 63 AMG, and the Medical Car, derived from the C 63 AMG Estate, have the task of ensuring maximum safety at all 18 Formula 1 races. The two specially prepared AMG high-performance automobiles will be on duty for the first time when the Grand Prix season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia from March 14 to 16.

The Official F1™ Safety Car is immediately on hand whenever the safety of a race is threatened by accidents, adverse weather conditions or other hazardous situations. After receiving his instructions from the race management, Bernd Mayländer, the driver of the Safety Car, must go to the head of the Formula 1 field and safely guide the world's fastest racing drivers around the circuit. Fast lap times are a must for the Safety Car, because otherwise the sensitive Formula 1 engines would overheat – and their tyres and brakes would cool down excessively.

F1 Teams Start Testing in Spain

Renault and Williams were the only teams in action on Monday in Valencia as this week’s test session got underway. Both squads gave their 2008 challengers their first run at the Spanish track, but it was Fernando Alonso in the French team’s new car who stole the show, clocking a best time of 1m 13.027s.

After the early morning fog cleared, Alonso was able to complete 39 laps in the R28, which will be officially unveiled to the press later this month. The Spaniard spent the opening day running through basic checks before he tests again on Tuesday.

Prodigal WDC Returns

While I'm certain this is far from shocking news to any Formula 1 fan, magically the weekend after Renault escapes punishment they have enough money in the bank for Flavio to get his golden child back.  Alonso will be returning for the 2008 season to the team that got him his two World Drivers Championships (read the full story at Formula1.com).

To be honest the only thing that I found mildly shocking about the news was that he will be partnered up with new comer Nelson Piquet Jr, son of the three time world champion Nelson Piquet.  While I'm sure that Junior is going to do well, and he certainly has done well in the GP2 series, I'm sad to see Heikki Kovalainen potentially be without a seat this year.

Renault Escapes Punishment in F1 Spy Scandal

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has found Renault guilty in rules violations concerning having McLaren data in their possession.  Granted it's obvious it didn't help them at all this season given their amazing job at going from World Champions to fighting Red Bull's junior team for positions, but it is another example of wacky rulings from this year’s Formula 1 season.

Unlike earlier in the year when it was determined McLaren was guilty of having Ferrari technical documents and fined an unheard of $100M (that's right, Million), Renault is getting off with appears to be a slap of the hand.  While McLaren seems to still be under the gun, and their 2008 car will have to undergo detailed inspections before passing certification for the new season, Renault seem to be free and clear unless new evidence surfaces.

Maybe now we'll get to see if Alonso's wonderful personality that endeared him to Ron Dennis this last season will be accepted with a warm, loving embrace by Flavio back at Renault next year.