Raikkonen eyes title repeat - Massa happy with his new 'baby'

Kimi Raikkonen believes that his thrilling, last-gap Formula One triumph in 2007 can provide the platform for a title repeat this season.

The Finn, speaking as Ferrari unveiled their car for the 2008 campaign, says being world champion has given him a new sense of belief following his one-point victory over feuding McLaren pair Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

"The fact that I won the drivers' world title last year gives me the confidence that I can do it again," said Raikkonen. "But I don't feel any stronger than last year."

The Finn admitted he will need a bit of time to adjust to the new car.

"The cockpit is a bit straighter, there's lots of innovations, above all we've lost traction control and it will be a bit difficult to control in the wet," he said. "There's still changes to be made but that's the same with every new car."

"We're ready and with (team-mate Felipe) Massa we have a good atmosphere and we'll try to keep that and fight to the end to retain our titles.
"

The F2008 car reflects changes made to the racing regulations for the new season with traction control and the electronically-assisted starting system removed. Other areas affected by the new rules are the gearbox, which must last four races, and safety elements regarding helmets.

Massa meanwhile said he felt very emotional about the new car and likened it to having a child. "I've never had a son but for the team it's like a baby has been born," said the Brazilian. "It's a special day and now we need to work hard to ensure that the child grows and becomes as fast as possible. The 2008 season is all about this child. I hope that this child will give us the ability to win."

Source AFP
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Ferrari Launch F2008

Ferrari this afternoon officially launched its 2008 challenger which is to be called the F2008.

The first preview images show a relatively traditional swooping front wing as well as a fairly standard rear element. Undoubtedly new model on display will undergo further aerodynamic enhancements ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.

The sidepods do however appear visibly changed over its predecessor with a raised front aspect with various aero additions to the front aimed to create maximum cooling efficiency as well as the all-important flow of air around the car.

Kimi Raikkonen is slated to shake-down the chassis tomorrow at Fiorano.


We’ll bring you more details of the new car shortly. To view more images of the F2008, go to the photo menu and select ‘teams’…

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International



Ferrari have unveiled their 2008 challenger which has been designed to defend the Italian marque's World titles.


The F2008 is the 54th single-seater Ferrari have built and will be piloted by Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, with the Finn scheduled to give the car its track debut on Monday January 6 at Fiorano.


The Aldo Costa design complies with the FIA's new regulations which require gearbox units to last for four grands prix, as well as the installation of the standard ECU.


In December Costa told Gazzetta dello Sport that the car would be completely re-designed.


"It will be completely new, even though you can't make radical changes because of the regulations," he said.


"The front of the car will be different, as far as the monocoque is concerned, with differently shaped sidepods, and the wing will be new too."


Codenamed 659, the car also has an adapted wheelbase so as to improve weight distribution.


The F2008 weighs 605kg in race trim and the Type 056 powerplant weighs a mere 95kg.


The overall mass of the car is up on last season due to limits on the type of composites allowed and higher cockpit sides - which improve driver safety.


The Scuderia have confirmed that the aerodynamics package will undergo major changes before the season begins.

www.planet-f1.com

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F2007 weakness solved, designer says

Ferrari's new car for 2008 will be an "evolution" of its championship winning predecessor, according to chief designer Nicolas Tombazis.

The Greek 39-year-old, who returned to Maranello early last year following a stint at McLaren, told the Spanish newspaper Diario AS that the F2008 will feature a shorter wheelbase than the 2007 car when it is revealed on 6 January.

"Much has changed, although the car will be an evolution of the previous one," Tombazis said.

"In 2007 we were faster on the fast circuits than on those with predominantly slower curves. We have worked on the weakness and solved it," he added.

Tombazis also rejected suggestions that Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari's new world champion who joined the Italian team in 2007, faced internal criticism for his failure to communicate effectively with the team.

"Kimi speaks little, but he says important things," Tombazis remarked, also explaining the Finn's apparent difficulty to adapt to Ferrari life early in 2007.

"The change from Michelin to Bridgestone cost him, which is what happened to Alonso as well. He needed some time to understand his new team and environment," he added.

"Since Indianapolis, however, he had a very strong end to his season," Tombazis said.

www.f1complete.com

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Alonso set to rejoin Renault this week

Monday 10th December 2007

Fernando Alonso's return to Renault is expected to be confirmed within the next 48 hours.

According to reports, the Spaniard has agreed a £70m, three-year contract. However, the deal contains an opt-out clause that would enable Alonso to leave the team in twelve months' time.

Alonso's return to Renault, two years after he left Flavio Briatore's outfit, became a likelihood when the team escaped punishment at last week's World Motor Sport Council hearing.

'It is a pleasing outcome for Alonso, who maintains his status as the second-highest earner on the grid behind Ferrari's world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, five weeks after being dismissed by McLaren,' says The Daily Mail.

After months of uncertainty and speculation, all the final pieces for the 2008 driver line-up are falling into place.

Nico Rosberg has committed himself to Williams, leaving Pedro de la Rosa the favourite to partner Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season.

However, Alonso's return to Renault puts a question mark against the future of Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella. With Renault also keen on promoting Nelson Piquet junior, both drivers could yet leave the team.

'Kovalainen has also been touted as Hamilton's next team-mate. He is the preferred choice of the Hamilton camp and is seen as a good team player who would not cause undue disturbance in the way the temperamental Alonso did,' reports the Mail.

'Kovalainen would appear to be in a two-way fight with McLaren's experienced test driver Pedro de la Rosa. A veteran of 72 grands prix over eight years, he represents the safe option and is popular within the team.

'As a Spaniard, he would also satisfy several of McLaren's sponsors, who stand to lose out from Alonso's departure.'

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Michael suggests a sabbatical for Ralf

Michael Schumacher has suggested that his brother Ralf takes a sabbatical from F1 and re-evaluate his future.

The younger of the Schumachers left Toyota at the end of the 2007 season and is currently without a drive for the new season.

Although linked with teams at both ends of the grid, it seems unlikely that the 32-year-old will find a race seat.

Schumacher did test for Force India at Jerez, but his time in Spain was marred by errors and technical problems.

His sibling and seven-time World Champions believes that Ralf should be careful of joining a team near the back of the gird.

"I don't know all his options, but before he drives like he did yesterday it is better to think about if it makes sense to drive knowing you can only come last," Schumacher told Auto Motor und Sport.

"I think there are more reasonable, safer, wealthier and nicer options for him. I told him personally that there are so many nice things outside of F1. But I don't know all his options. There are other cockpits which are not taken, so he might see other options."

Schumacher recommended that his brother ought to consider taking a break from the sport.

"If he can get a good result then he should. He is able to bring good results and he is motivated to do so.

"But it is different for me. I would not be so motivated to race, and if it doesn't fit then maybe he should stop and have a break. He is young enough to stop, re-evaluate the situation and come back.

"I have to say my experience in coming back in Barcelona showed I did not have trouble coming back. I did not lose a bit, so he can do it too."

Source: http://www.planet-f1.com

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