Formula 1 2007

 

 

I knew something was missing in my life.

What was it? (almost) 8 years on "and I've often wondered how did it all start?" - lyrics by ABBA - applies well too that rainy sunday afternoon.

When I turned on the television I saw something sensational.

Of course you hear about names like Schumacher every day on TV but for a matter a fact this was the first time I had actually decided to tune in for an F1 GP.

Judging from the rainy spell it must have been about 1/3 in the race when my new -everlasting- hobby changed my life.

 

A white car was leading the race, it was that of Rubens Barrichello. The Stewart-Ford immediately drew my intention and his rainbow-colour visor equally so. It was very interesting to see an underdog leading te race.

It describes the way my point is towards the sport. Not support the best, but support the best potential, support the ones who deserve it.

 

In the end it was not Barrichello winning the race, it was Heinz-Harald Frentzen in his Jordan-Mugen-Honda, but that, on a note, was equally impressive. As a matter a fact, Eddie Jordan was extatic and rightfully saw.

 

After that I bought my first ever Formula 1 magazine and since then Formula 1 and me became like peas and carrots.

It was a great time in my life, and it was only a start.

A brief fan grew and became an absolute freak of the sport.

 

 

Dear motorsport fans,

 

I remember updating my space for the last time, just as preparations were underway for the Malaysian Grand Prix of 2006.

Hopeful after a strong result in Bahrain my dreams seemed to shatter all the way, and the season turned out to be one of Kimi's worst so far in his career.

Nevertheless, as a dedicated fan I never give up hope. And here we are.

One year on, in the off-season, F1 is sure to have a big overhaul in image change.

Michael Schumacher, seven times world champion, announced his retirement in Monza.

Fernando Alonso clinched his second world championship after another strong showing of both him and the reliable Renault team.

 

But for us, Kimi fans, 2007 is deemed to give us the best chance of Kimi's first title in his career.

After Schumacher's announcement in Monza, Kimi was confirmed as his replacement for the Marenello-based Italian team of Ferrari.

Now, it's easier said than done but I'm sure we have our reasons for giving it a realistic shot of acquiring the title.

 

What is in Ferrari's favour that Kimi's old team did not have to offer?

- The main issue must be reliabillity ; McLaren failed Kimi on these issues that as much as 40% of all his races started for the Woking-based team, were pulverized in different forms of failure issues. Most common was the plume of smoke we saw at his rear wing.

- Kimi is absolutely adored by Ferrari's directors and is seen as the greatest contemporary driver for the moment.

- A big advantage are, without doubt, the Bridgestone tires of which Ferrari has made use for the past year, while other teams will have to work around the clock to make a good transition from the former Michelin tyres to the Bridgestone tyres.

 

2007 is a year of change, and hopefully for us, Kimi fans, a very dominating year by the cool Finn.

 

Although Kimi is not released from his contract till the 1st of January (2007), the testing work for his new team will begin on the 28th of November with his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa and testdrivers Marc Gené and Luca Badoer (both former minardi drivers of 1999) taking up the seats to complete as much laps as possible.

Telemetry is a crucial item to figure out how the progress is going and I'm sure, knowing Ferrari, they'll do everything to make things stick.

 

For now, Adeus

But more is about to come, since testing commences next Tuesday.

 

Tobias