2007 GP Brasil de Fórmula 1
10-18-2007, 04:21 PM
#106
Race Director
I think they all focus on beating eachother...
Hamilton needs to win, concentrating on just finishing the race might be a poor strategy. If he comes third, and Alonso wins, he has lost the WDC.
Same thing in qualies... they will all be pushing to get front row, mistakes could
happen there as well.
Hamilton needs to win, concentrating on just finishing the race might be a poor strategy. If he comes third, and Alonso wins, he has lost the WDC.
Same thing in qualies... they will all be pushing to get front row, mistakes could
happen there as well.
If you are Alsono you NEED to beat Hamilton to win. Period. If you don't beat him you don't have a chance. Even when you beat him you need cars between you. So Alonso would much more apt to try a tight pass because he HAS to get by. Hamilton would be stupid to risk damage or even a cut tire in defending. Defend hard, but be smart. The last thing you want to do is to push too hard for a "win" and throw it all away. (ie China) If you are fighting for a championship you need to see the big picture. In fact Kimi could win, Alonso come in 2nd and Hamilton get 3rd and STILL win the WDC. So yes Hamilton has pressure, but he needs to leave his ego as side at some point and thing about points. Of course the time to do that is not now. The time to do that is during the race. Right now Hamilton and crew need to target a win. They need to do what they always do in shooting for a win. However trying to stay out on more lap on crappy tires to win is bad idea in Brazil. Better to take an "easy" 2nd vs a hard fought risky win.
As for Kimi... He has it rather easy really. Show up and run hard. Try for the win as always. If you win you just might get lucky. If not then you did all you could.
I think Alonso is in the toughest spot because he has something to prove. He needs to show the HE is the best and he is close enough to pull it off. Given his situation all big Mac I would not be suprise for him to go in all or nothing. He will beat Hamilton or DNF himself (or Hamiliton) trying. What does he care about 2nd place. What does he care about the team. Heck he would probably rather see Kimi win than Hamilton. That makes him dangerious while racing Hamilton needs to be smart and not get in to a petty scrap. In fact Hamilton's safest place is 1 car length behind Alonso. There is no way Alonso can take out Hamilton that way with out also elminating himself from contention. If Alonso is following Hamilton what does he have to lose by making a risky pass? Answer nothing to lose, but a chance to gain it all.
10-18-2007, 04:38 PM
#107
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Well said. But there is a danger of trying to drive "off pace". You don't get into a groove, maybe even make stupid mistakes. Also, Hamilton could actually be so conservative that he allows Alonso to lead him and gets passed by Kimi. This will (hopefully) be the most interesting race of the year. I really would hate to see Hamilton DNF because of mechanical failure. I want him to lose fair and square. I really don't care which other driver wins WDC although it would be a big slap in RD's face if Alonso wins.
10-18-2007, 05:37 PM
#108
Race Director
We will see quite a bit more about how this may play out after Q3 if it a sdry race. I do think there will be quite alot fo planning going into prep for Q3 depending on the speeds in Q2. More so than usual.
If the race is wet or any combo of wet/dry... Well all bets are off. It should be quite entertaining, but it could turn out anticlimatic as well. Lets wait and see.
10-18-2007, 06:22 PM
#109
King of Cool
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Sorry guys, have been little busy here in Motherland celebrating Kimi's birthday...
Anyways... I have decided to stop commenting F1 affairs until the season is oven and since my earlier comments regarding Brazil haven't changed anyway, I will just quote myself:
Anyways... I have decided to stop commenting F1 affairs until the season is oven and since my earlier comments regarding Brazil haven't changed anyway, I will just quote myself:
10-18-2007, 07:57 PM
#110
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In fact Hamilton's safest place is 1 car length behind Alonso. There is no way Alonso can take out Hamilton that way with out also elminating himself from contention. If Alonso is following Hamilton what does he have to lose by making a risky pass? Answer nothing to lose, but a chance to gain it all.
, but the least damage to Alonso's car with possible DNF possibilities to Hamilton would be if Alonso brake checks him. Oh, the possibilities.
10-19-2007, 01:27 AM
#113
Formula One Spin Doctor
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Hamilton feeling 'unusual' in Senna's city
By Alan Baldwin Thursday, October 18th 2007, 17:11 GMT
Lewis Hamilton says visiting the late Ayrton Senna's home city in Brazil has so far been 'an unusual experience', but the championship leader has conceded he is unlikely to visit his boyhood hero's grave as he had originally planned.
Hamilton previously said he hoped to visit Senna's grave after Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, possibly as one McLaren champion paying tribute to another, but on Thursday the Briton appeared to rule this out.
"I doubt I'll go because I know I'll be followed," he said at a press conference. "So perhaps I'll leave it to another trip."
A big fan of triple champion Senna, who was born in Sao Paulo and lies buried in the city's Morumbi cemetery, Hamilton said the Interlagos circuit was the first he ever played on his computer.
"I wouldn't say I have a spiritual connection with him but it's just an unusual experience (being here)," he said of Senna.
"All the years I've been watching Formula One, and literally from the beginning of my karting career, I've focused on Senna and I've watched videos," he added.
"To be in his home country, to see how people see him over here and how big he is over here, and finally coming to Brazil for the first time and realising I am on his home turf where his final resting place is, it's quite touching.
"I know my hotel is only a couple of miles from where he is, that's the closest I've ever been to him. So it's quite an unusual experience for me."
Hamilton also said his failure to win the championship in China two weeks ago made him more relaxed and stronger ahead of Sunday's title decider.
"It definitely didn't make me more nervous. If anything it took pressure off my shoulders and I think I came out of it even stronger," the 22-year-old rookie said.
"I thought it would knock my confidence and put me on the back foot, but I went away and thought about the weekend and I think now I'm even stronger than I was, for whatever reason.
"It was a good learning experience and coming here I feel a lot different compared to the last race. In the last race all the pressure was building up and everything was going on, on the Thursday and the Friday, and it wasn't a great weekend.
"But I feel totally relaxed now and fully confident in the team and our ability to challenge for the title."
Hamilton leads double world champion teammate Fernando Alonso by four points, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen another three behind.
The rookie had a 12-point advantage over Alonso before the race in Shanghai but failed to score points after skidding out on worn tyres. Raikkonen won with Alonso second.
Lewis Hamilton says visiting the late Ayrton Senna's home city in Brazil has so far been 'an unusual experience', but the championship leader has conceded he is unlikely to visit his boyhood hero's grave as he had originally planned.
Hamilton previously said he hoped to visit Senna's grave after Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, possibly as one McLaren champion paying tribute to another, but on Thursday the Briton appeared to rule this out.
"I doubt I'll go because I know I'll be followed," he said at a press conference. "So perhaps I'll leave it to another trip."
A big fan of triple champion Senna, who was born in Sao Paulo and lies buried in the city's Morumbi cemetery, Hamilton said the Interlagos circuit was the first he ever played on his computer.
"I wouldn't say I have a spiritual connection with him but it's just an unusual experience (being here)," he said of Senna.
"All the years I've been watching Formula One, and literally from the beginning of my karting career, I've focused on Senna and I've watched videos," he added.
"To be in his home country, to see how people see him over here and how big he is over here, and finally coming to Brazil for the first time and realising I am on his home turf where his final resting place is, it's quite touching.
"I know my hotel is only a couple of miles from where he is, that's the closest I've ever been to him. So it's quite an unusual experience for me."
Hamilton also said his failure to win the championship in China two weeks ago made him more relaxed and stronger ahead of Sunday's title decider.
"It definitely didn't make me more nervous. If anything it took pressure off my shoulders and I think I came out of it even stronger," the 22-year-old rookie said.
"I thought it would knock my confidence and put me on the back foot, but I went away and thought about the weekend and I think now I'm even stronger than I was, for whatever reason.
"It was a good learning experience and coming here I feel a lot different compared to the last race. In the last race all the pressure was building up and everything was going on, on the Thursday and the Friday, and it wasn't a great weekend.
"But I feel totally relaxed now and fully confident in the team and our ability to challenge for the title."
Hamilton leads double world champion teammate Fernando Alonso by four points, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen another three behind.
The rookie had a 12-point advantage over Alonso before the race in Shanghai but failed to score points after skidding out on worn tyres. Raikkonen won with Alonso second.
10-19-2007, 01:37 AM
#114
Formula One Spin Doctor
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Thursday's press conference - Brazilian GP
Thursday, October 18th 2007, 17:21 GMT
Participating: Fernando Alonso (Mclaren Mercedes), Lewis Hamilton (Mclaren Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Q: Felipe, winner from pole position here last year, how do you come to this race this year?
Felipe MASSA: With the same mentality as last year, trying to have a good weekend. I think if we can repeat what happened one year ago it will be fantastic.
Q: And your contract has been extended as well; what does that mean to a driver?
FM: I think it's good for stability. I've been with Ferrari for two years and then I was already stable because my contract was actually already until the end of next year. But then we've extended that, so I think it shows the work we've been doing together with the team.
I think (it shows) the confidence the team has in me as well, so I'm very pleased about that and I think it's very nice to carry on doing the job with the team and especially as it's a team that has trusted me since the beginning of my career, so it's very nice to carry on with Ferrari.
Q: How do you see your role this weekend, given the championship battle going on around you?
FM: Well, for sure I would be happy to see my team winning the championship but it's not a very easy race and I think it also depends on what happens in the race. It also depends on Kimi's chances of winning the championship, it also depends how these two guys in front are going to do in the race as well, so it depends on many things but for sure, I'm going to start the weekend and my aim is to try to win the race.
Q: Kimi, I believe it was a bit of a big day yesterday, your birthday.
Kimi Raikkonen: Yeah, but when you get older, it's not the same any more. When you're young you're more excited but it was a normal day really.
FM: Yes, he is, he's very old.
Q: Was there a bit of a celebration?
KR: No.
Q: Sunday evening, perhaps?
KR: I think we will celebrate something else. I never really remember when it happened last time, usually we're too busy.
Q: In a situation like this, does Kimi Raikkonen get nervous?
KR: I think you are always a little bit nervous every race, but I try to do the same as in any other race, I try to do the best I can, I try to win the race, be one and two and then it's not really up to us anymore, so that's really all we can do and hopefully we can achieve that.
Q: You've finished second three times here, obviously you'd like to improve on that, but how do you feel about this circuit as a whole?
KR: It's a nice circuit, it's quite challenging. I have quite a difficult race history here over the years. I enjoy it now, but it's going to be a little different with the new surface and nobody knows how good it will be, so we will see tomorrow, but it's always nice to come back to this circuit.
Q: Lewis, a brand new circuit for you. Have you walked around it and principally have you tried it on the simulator?
Lewis HAMILTON: It's my first... I literally got here to the track an hour ago and I've not yet had the time to walk it, but I will do after this and no, I've not been on the simulator.
Q: Would the simulator help?
LH: If it did I would have done it.
Q: So you don't really feel it's that much of a help.
LH: I think the first computer game that I played, the first race was Brazil, so I have an idea where it goes and it's always one of my favourites, most of the time the end of season race and so I have a really good idea of where the corners are and I'm looking forward to getting out there.
Q: What was the recovery process after China and how have you built yourself up for this race?
LH: Pretty much the same as always: I went home and just had a little bit of time at home. My family had planned a little trip, so they went away, so I didn't really have much time with them but I had time to just relax at my real home, my parents' house, did some good training, made sure I was physically fit for this weekend as this is an anti-clockwise circuit, so it's a little bit harder on the other side of your neck and just feeling fresh. If anything, I just feel a bit more relaxed this weekend, quite a bit more relaxed than I did at the last race.
Q: What do you do extra for an anti-clockwise circuit?
LH: It's only for your neck, so you can only just do a little bit more work than for the other side. Usually it's the right side you're working on. You don't start lifting the heaviest weights ever for your neck or anything, you just need to do a little more work to keep it fresh, so you don't go out on Friday and the next day feel it.
Q: Finally, whose job is harder: Lewis Hamilton's or the English rugby team's?
LH: I think it must be equal, very similar. They've done a fantastic job. It's good.
Q: Fernando, you've been in this position for the last two years here in Brazil. How different is it this year?
Fernando ALONSO: Well, for the last two years I was in front, now I'm behind. That's the main difference. Sometimes you just need to be conservative, just to do your job and finish in a certain place and this year I need much more than that. I need to win the race, to be at the front and another combination of results from the other contenders. So it's more difficult.
Q: Pole position last year, and finishes in the top four for the last four years; what's your feelings about this circuit? Is it a lucky circuit, a good circuit for you?
FA: Well, it's definitely a lucky circuit for me because the two championships that I won were won here, so it's impossible to say that this is not a circuit that I like. For sure I love the place, I love the circuit, I have great memories when I come here, when I arrive in the paddock, the hotel - everything is a nice memory for me, so hopefully this year it can get even better.
Q: Any changes in preparations for this race?
FA: No, just prepare as usual.
Q: You talked about a certain approach about four or five races ago. Have you managed to maintain that approach, the way you've approached each weekend?
FA: Well, now it's more a championship thought when you approach the weekend. For sure, five or six races ago you just concentrated on doing your job, take the weekend like the final race of the championship. Now it's more a championship thought, so when you are in the car you don't care too much about the race result, you just concentrate on how many points you will get. I think especially in this last race it's about all the combinations we know that we need to be champion. You try to do your maximum, you try to do your best. Sure it's not only up to you.
Q: All those combinations are all in your head?
FA: Yes.
Q: Lewis? Same?
LH: Yes.
Q: Kimi?
KR: I don't think about it so much. As I said, we try to win and see what happens.
Questions from the floor
Q: (Jon McEvoy - The Daily Mail) Lewis, I was wondering if you could tell us your memories four years ago and where you were when England won the rugby World Cup?
LH: I don't know. Four years ago. I think I was in Formula Renault. Yeah, I think I was competing in the British Formula Renault championship and I think we were racing at Silverstone, if I remember correctly. I may be wrong.
Q: (Dan Knutson - National Speed Sport News) For Lewis and Fernando; you guys have had your ups and downs this year. Coming to the season finale, how would you describe your relationship?
LH: I think it's as good as ever. I think we have got on quite well all year, despite what the media says. They always try to make a big gap between us and they haven't really succeeded. We just get on quite well and got on with our jobs and we continue to do that.
FA: As Lewis said, the media has been saying many many things about us that weren't true. We never had problems with each other. We are obviously fighting on the track but off the track we have had a very good relationship from day one and it's still the same.
Q: (Bob McKenzie - The Daily Express) Fernando, the FIA has appointed an observer in the McLaren team this weekend to ensure equality. Is this something that pleases you? Do you feel comforted by this?
FA: Not really, not really. I probably don't agree with that decision but you know it's not up to us. I think if they decide to do that, it's OK, but we don't need anything like that in the garage.
Q: (Bob McKenzie - The Daily Express) So you trust the team?
FA: Yes. As I said in China, I think I was disappointed with the qualifying performance and I felt it was a very strange result after Q1 and Q2, being a little bit closer to fight for pole position, not in Q3 anymore, but we realised that the tyre pressures were a little bit too high and this can happen in any of the qualifying sessions, so I just want to think that it was coincidence and a little bad luck, so this race should be OK.
Q: (Heather Alexander - BBC Radio 1) Lewis, did what happened in China make you more nervous and what will it mean to you if you can finally come through and win on this, the last race in your first season?
LH: It definitely didn't make me more nervous. If anything, it took the pressure off my shoulders and I think I came out of it even stronger. I thought it would knock my confidence and put me back on my back foot but I went away and I thought about the weekend and I feel I'm even stronger than I was, for whatever reason. It was a good learning experience.
Coming here, I feel a lot different compared to the last race. The last race was always... all the pressure was building up and everything was going on, on the Thursday and Friday, and it wasn't a great weekend, but I feel totally relaxed now and fully confident in the team and our ability to challenge for the title.
Q: (Heather Alexander - BBC Radio 1) Are you already imagining yourself standing on the podium, winning, with the champagne going and everything?
LH: No. I think if you do that you get too ahead of yourself and that's when you can make mistakes.
Q: (James Allen - ITV) It's for Lewis and Fernando. Both of you have spoken in the past about Ayrton Senna being a great inspiration for you, probably in both of your cases, part of the reason why you're driving in McLaren today. Could both of you just talk about when you come to this track and we're in Senna's heartland, do you have any spiritual connection to him at all?
LH: I won't say I have a spiritual connection with him but for me, it's just an unusual experience because all the years I've been watching Formula One and literally from the beginning of my karting career I've had books on Senna, I've had videos and Racing's in My Blood and all the other videos, and to watch them and seeing him in his home country and seeing how people see him over here, and how he is over here, and finally to come into this country, the first time in Brazil to realise that I'm on his home turf and where his final resting place is - it's quite touching. Knowing that my hotel is only a couple of miles from where he is; that's the closest I've ever been to him. It's quite an unusual experience for me.
FA: Yeah, as Lewis says, when I was in go-karts I had pictures of him in my room and I've always been following Senna's races on TV when I could and he was my favourite driver of that time and for sure, when I started in Formula One, I had him as a prototype. It's good to come here, because there's a lot of Formula One passion here in Brazil, in the people, in the hotels, on the street, everyone loves Formula One, so I think when you come here you realise it's a very important race, a very important place.
Q: (Jon McEvoy - The Daily Mail) Lewis, you said that after this event you may go to Senna's grave maybe on Monday. Is that still your plan or have you already been there?
LH: I haven't been there and it hasn't crossed my mind to be honest. I doubt it very much I will go because I will be followed.... So I'll have to leave that for another trip.
Q: (Ian Parkes - The Press Association) How do you prepare for a race like this psychologically? It must be a very big moment to approach in your career. Have you used a psychologist?
LH: No. I've never used a psychologist. I don't really know the answer to that because I have never been in this position before, trying to win the world championship... I think you just have to treat it as you usually do. I want to win, but as Fernando says, sometimes you have to be conservative and the only thing I can do is look at what he has done for the last few years and what Michael did in previous years and try to learn something from their strengths or weaknesses and I am going to do the same job as always and try to stay on the track this time!
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) You are two young guys, very talented and you could be the best friends in the world, in an ideal world, but you are almost enemies and from a human point of view do you think Formula One, because of this, is a waste of time?
FA: I didn't understand the question. (laughter)
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) You are two young guys, drivers, talented, everything else, but you are almost enemies...
FM: No, you can see they are best friends...
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) From this human point of view, would you say that this is a waste of time?
FA: I still don't understand...(aside to Lewis, aloud) I hear your answer and then I... (laughter)
LH: I don't think it is a waste of time otherwise I wouldn't be here.
FM: Brazilian people are very difficult to understand. (laughter)
LH: Maybe Felipe should answer it...
FM: No, I'm fine.
Q: (MC) I think one part of the question was, is it taking away your youth in a way that at this early age of your lives that you are having this battle, this conflict?
FA: I don't think so. Maybe I understand now. We are in a competition, so we love competition and if we were not Formula One drivers then maybe we would be in a different sport or somewhere else competing against someone. It is our life and it is our... We love competition and we love cars and so we are now in Formula One and we enjoy it, you know, this conflict, you know...
Outside the track, I think everyone has a different character and a different way to live, but here in the paddock in the weekend we do so much and sometimes we win and enjoy it more and sometimes we lose and we have days of disappointments, but after that it is clear competition and we like that.
LH: We are competitive people, you know, and that is where we get our energy. It doesn't make us immediately become... look at these guys, they are a little bit older than me and Fernando has started to grow his hair a little bit - because he is worried about losing it! You know, we enjoy it and we want to continue to do it for as long as we can.
Q: (Marc Surer - Premiere Television) I have noticed that McLaren has more problems with graining with the softer compounds. What do you think?
FA: I think with the softest compounds that we have here it is difficult to say what is going to happen in the race or this weekend especially because the circuit has a new surface all around. Nobody knows what is going to happen with these tyres. We will see what happens. If we have a graining problem I think it will be the same for everybody to be honest. And races where we used these super-soft tyres, like Monaco, Canada, somewhere else, Hungary, I think, we won all those races, the team, so I think we should not be too worried by that.
Q: (MC) Are Ferrari worried either way? What are your feelings?
FM: It is difficult to say anything before we start running. We don't know if we have to worry or not. We don't know what the situation is, to be worried or not.
Q: (Livio Oricchio - O Estado de Sao Paulo) To Fernando. What was your reaction after hearing what Ron Dennis said in China? He said our competitor is not Kimi but Alonso...
FA: I was surprised. It is difficult to say what is true or what are just normal words that you say after the race and that you can take in a different way. You can put some problems asking me these questions and not him. So I don't see anything strange, just surprise, but not really worried.
Q: (Jaime Rodriguez - El Mundo) Fernando, when you win the championship would you say it has been the hardest victory of your life?
FA: I don't know. I really don't know because it is too difficult to say or get back in time and remember what my feelings were here last year when I had a very tough final part of the championship with Michael taking points every race and losing the advantage that I had, so that was a very difficult fight and when I won here last year I had a very special feeling. As you say, if this weekend everything goes well and again I have the possibility to feel that who knows if it is bigger or smaller than last year's feelings.
Q: (Ian Parkes - The Press Association) Fernando and Lewis, just looking at you here you look more at ease than we have seen you for some time, is that true?
FA: I think it is the same as always. I think when you see us together it is only on the Saturday afternoon and at the Meet the Team press conference and then it is just after qualifying and we are very focussed on the race, the strategy, the result of the qualifying, so it is maybe not a very relaxed moment. And here on this Thursday I don't see any change from the last 10 months.
LH: I agree with that. I think like any relationship just through time spent together, and I have known Fernando since Turkey of last year, I think it is and just since then the relationship has grown and we have more respect for each other automatically. We are not here now in competition, trying to answer more questions than each other, but on Saturday, it is a little different because we are in competition.
Q: (Charlie Wyett - The Sun) Lewis, will it make extra special for you if you can win the title and England win the Rugby World Cup on Saturday? What impact will it have on the country? And what will it mean to you if England can do it?
LH: It is one of the best times for our country and I am proud and pleased to be in that sort of position where I can do something. I really want them to win. I watched the last game and I had a great time with a few friends and one said France are going to win and I said 'no way!' and it was just amazing to see the spirits of the guys and how they came back. And I was also interested to see they are going to watch Cool Runnings for inspiration before their last game. I watched it recently as well. We are all going to try the best we can and it is going to be something special to have the honour to do it on a similar day.
Q: (Heikki Kulta - Turun Sanomat) In China I asked you if you wanted a storm to come and for the race to be cancelled. Looking back would you have hoped for it to have come and how much more difficult is it now?
LH: This is the second question you have asked me this year! (laughter)... As I said before, I really enjoy racing and whether you finish or you don't finish as long as you do all your preparation, you just want to complete the race. Whether you finish first or last. And this weekend I hope the weather is good. I know the weather has not always been brilliant for previous races here in Brazil, but I heard it hadn't rained here for about two months or something and then as soon as I arrived it rained. I obviously brought it with me from the UK. We want to have a good race this weekend.
Q: (Niki Takeda - Formula PA) To you all, has it seemed a longer season than normal?
LH: It is my first season in Formula One, so it has seemed a very long season to me and different to anything I have experienced before, but I am enjoying it. I am looking forward to more races in the future.
FA: Quite long for me...
KR: ... (inaudible) the races go quickly and it has been the same for me this season.
FM: Very quick.
Q: (James Allen - ITV) Lewis, looking back to the Belgian Grand Prix, this is a pretty difficult first corner here and obviously Kimi would love it if you took each other off and is that a scenario you have thought of or is it something you have to discuss to make sure it doesn't?
LH: We are professional racing drivers and I think obviously we don't want to crash with any of the drivers not just us. Neither of us wants to crash on Sunday. For me, going into that first corner you go in there ideally wanting to take the lead or to gain a place but without taking too many risks. In our own experience we know what too much of a risk is and what too little is... I don't feel we are going to have any problems.
FA: I have to finish the race and I have to risk for sure to take places if I have an opportunity but as I said my principle aim is to finish the race.
Q: (Marco Degl'Innocenti - La Gazzetta dello Sport) Does it happen that you think that you cannot win the title?
LH: No.
Participating: Fernando Alonso (Mclaren Mercedes), Lewis Hamilton (Mclaren Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Q: Felipe, winner from pole position here last year, how do you come to this race this year?
Felipe MASSA: With the same mentality as last year, trying to have a good weekend. I think if we can repeat what happened one year ago it will be fantastic.
Q: And your contract has been extended as well; what does that mean to a driver?
FM: I think it's good for stability. I've been with Ferrari for two years and then I was already stable because my contract was actually already until the end of next year. But then we've extended that, so I think it shows the work we've been doing together with the team.
I think (it shows) the confidence the team has in me as well, so I'm very pleased about that and I think it's very nice to carry on doing the job with the team and especially as it's a team that has trusted me since the beginning of my career, so it's very nice to carry on with Ferrari.
Q: How do you see your role this weekend, given the championship battle going on around you?
FM: Well, for sure I would be happy to see my team winning the championship but it's not a very easy race and I think it also depends on what happens in the race. It also depends on Kimi's chances of winning the championship, it also depends how these two guys in front are going to do in the race as well, so it depends on many things but for sure, I'm going to start the weekend and my aim is to try to win the race.
Q: Kimi, I believe it was a bit of a big day yesterday, your birthday.
Kimi Raikkonen: Yeah, but when you get older, it's not the same any more. When you're young you're more excited but it was a normal day really.
FM: Yes, he is, he's very old.
Q: Was there a bit of a celebration?
KR: No.
Q: Sunday evening, perhaps?
KR: I think we will celebrate something else. I never really remember when it happened last time, usually we're too busy.
Q: In a situation like this, does Kimi Raikkonen get nervous?
KR: I think you are always a little bit nervous every race, but I try to do the same as in any other race, I try to do the best I can, I try to win the race, be one and two and then it's not really up to us anymore, so that's really all we can do and hopefully we can achieve that.
Q: You've finished second three times here, obviously you'd like to improve on that, but how do you feel about this circuit as a whole?
KR: It's a nice circuit, it's quite challenging. I have quite a difficult race history here over the years. I enjoy it now, but it's going to be a little different with the new surface and nobody knows how good it will be, so we will see tomorrow, but it's always nice to come back to this circuit.
Q: Lewis, a brand new circuit for you. Have you walked around it and principally have you tried it on the simulator?
Lewis HAMILTON: It's my first... I literally got here to the track an hour ago and I've not yet had the time to walk it, but I will do after this and no, I've not been on the simulator.
Q: Would the simulator help?
LH: If it did I would have done it.
Q: So you don't really feel it's that much of a help.
LH: I think the first computer game that I played, the first race was Brazil, so I have an idea where it goes and it's always one of my favourites, most of the time the end of season race and so I have a really good idea of where the corners are and I'm looking forward to getting out there.
Q: What was the recovery process after China and how have you built yourself up for this race?
LH: Pretty much the same as always: I went home and just had a little bit of time at home. My family had planned a little trip, so they went away, so I didn't really have much time with them but I had time to just relax at my real home, my parents' house, did some good training, made sure I was physically fit for this weekend as this is an anti-clockwise circuit, so it's a little bit harder on the other side of your neck and just feeling fresh. If anything, I just feel a bit more relaxed this weekend, quite a bit more relaxed than I did at the last race.
Q: What do you do extra for an anti-clockwise circuit?
LH: It's only for your neck, so you can only just do a little bit more work than for the other side. Usually it's the right side you're working on. You don't start lifting the heaviest weights ever for your neck or anything, you just need to do a little more work to keep it fresh, so you don't go out on Friday and the next day feel it.
Q: Finally, whose job is harder: Lewis Hamilton's or the English rugby team's?
LH: I think it must be equal, very similar. They've done a fantastic job. It's good.
Q: Fernando, you've been in this position for the last two years here in Brazil. How different is it this year?
Fernando ALONSO: Well, for the last two years I was in front, now I'm behind. That's the main difference. Sometimes you just need to be conservative, just to do your job and finish in a certain place and this year I need much more than that. I need to win the race, to be at the front and another combination of results from the other contenders. So it's more difficult.
Q: Pole position last year, and finishes in the top four for the last four years; what's your feelings about this circuit? Is it a lucky circuit, a good circuit for you?
FA: Well, it's definitely a lucky circuit for me because the two championships that I won were won here, so it's impossible to say that this is not a circuit that I like. For sure I love the place, I love the circuit, I have great memories when I come here, when I arrive in the paddock, the hotel - everything is a nice memory for me, so hopefully this year it can get even better.
Q: Any changes in preparations for this race?
FA: No, just prepare as usual.
Q: You talked about a certain approach about four or five races ago. Have you managed to maintain that approach, the way you've approached each weekend?
FA: Well, now it's more a championship thought when you approach the weekend. For sure, five or six races ago you just concentrated on doing your job, take the weekend like the final race of the championship. Now it's more a championship thought, so when you are in the car you don't care too much about the race result, you just concentrate on how many points you will get. I think especially in this last race it's about all the combinations we know that we need to be champion. You try to do your maximum, you try to do your best. Sure it's not only up to you.
Q: All those combinations are all in your head?
FA: Yes.
Q: Lewis? Same?
LH: Yes.
Q: Kimi?
KR: I don't think about it so much. As I said, we try to win and see what happens.
Questions from the floor
Q: (Jon McEvoy - The Daily Mail) Lewis, I was wondering if you could tell us your memories four years ago and where you were when England won the rugby World Cup?
LH: I don't know. Four years ago. I think I was in Formula Renault. Yeah, I think I was competing in the British Formula Renault championship and I think we were racing at Silverstone, if I remember correctly. I may be wrong.
Q: (Dan Knutson - National Speed Sport News) For Lewis and Fernando; you guys have had your ups and downs this year. Coming to the season finale, how would you describe your relationship?
LH: I think it's as good as ever. I think we have got on quite well all year, despite what the media says. They always try to make a big gap between us and they haven't really succeeded. We just get on quite well and got on with our jobs and we continue to do that.
FA: As Lewis said, the media has been saying many many things about us that weren't true. We never had problems with each other. We are obviously fighting on the track but off the track we have had a very good relationship from day one and it's still the same.
Q: (Bob McKenzie - The Daily Express) Fernando, the FIA has appointed an observer in the McLaren team this weekend to ensure equality. Is this something that pleases you? Do you feel comforted by this?
FA: Not really, not really. I probably don't agree with that decision but you know it's not up to us. I think if they decide to do that, it's OK, but we don't need anything like that in the garage.
Q: (Bob McKenzie - The Daily Express) So you trust the team?
FA: Yes. As I said in China, I think I was disappointed with the qualifying performance and I felt it was a very strange result after Q1 and Q2, being a little bit closer to fight for pole position, not in Q3 anymore, but we realised that the tyre pressures were a little bit too high and this can happen in any of the qualifying sessions, so I just want to think that it was coincidence and a little bad luck, so this race should be OK.
Q: (Heather Alexander - BBC Radio 1) Lewis, did what happened in China make you more nervous and what will it mean to you if you can finally come through and win on this, the last race in your first season?
LH: It definitely didn't make me more nervous. If anything, it took the pressure off my shoulders and I think I came out of it even stronger. I thought it would knock my confidence and put me back on my back foot but I went away and I thought about the weekend and I feel I'm even stronger than I was, for whatever reason. It was a good learning experience.
Coming here, I feel a lot different compared to the last race. The last race was always... all the pressure was building up and everything was going on, on the Thursday and Friday, and it wasn't a great weekend, but I feel totally relaxed now and fully confident in the team and our ability to challenge for the title.
Q: (Heather Alexander - BBC Radio 1) Are you already imagining yourself standing on the podium, winning, with the champagne going and everything?
LH: No. I think if you do that you get too ahead of yourself and that's when you can make mistakes.
Q: (James Allen - ITV) It's for Lewis and Fernando. Both of you have spoken in the past about Ayrton Senna being a great inspiration for you, probably in both of your cases, part of the reason why you're driving in McLaren today. Could both of you just talk about when you come to this track and we're in Senna's heartland, do you have any spiritual connection to him at all?
LH: I won't say I have a spiritual connection with him but for me, it's just an unusual experience because all the years I've been watching Formula One and literally from the beginning of my karting career I've had books on Senna, I've had videos and Racing's in My Blood and all the other videos, and to watch them and seeing him in his home country and seeing how people see him over here, and how he is over here, and finally to come into this country, the first time in Brazil to realise that I'm on his home turf and where his final resting place is - it's quite touching. Knowing that my hotel is only a couple of miles from where he is; that's the closest I've ever been to him. It's quite an unusual experience for me.
FA: Yeah, as Lewis says, when I was in go-karts I had pictures of him in my room and I've always been following Senna's races on TV when I could and he was my favourite driver of that time and for sure, when I started in Formula One, I had him as a prototype. It's good to come here, because there's a lot of Formula One passion here in Brazil, in the people, in the hotels, on the street, everyone loves Formula One, so I think when you come here you realise it's a very important race, a very important place.
Q: (Jon McEvoy - The Daily Mail) Lewis, you said that after this event you may go to Senna's grave maybe on Monday. Is that still your plan or have you already been there?
LH: I haven't been there and it hasn't crossed my mind to be honest. I doubt it very much I will go because I will be followed.... So I'll have to leave that for another trip.
Q: (Ian Parkes - The Press Association) How do you prepare for a race like this psychologically? It must be a very big moment to approach in your career. Have you used a psychologist?
LH: No. I've never used a psychologist. I don't really know the answer to that because I have never been in this position before, trying to win the world championship... I think you just have to treat it as you usually do. I want to win, but as Fernando says, sometimes you have to be conservative and the only thing I can do is look at what he has done for the last few years and what Michael did in previous years and try to learn something from their strengths or weaknesses and I am going to do the same job as always and try to stay on the track this time!
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) You are two young guys, very talented and you could be the best friends in the world, in an ideal world, but you are almost enemies and from a human point of view do you think Formula One, because of this, is a waste of time?
FA: I didn't understand the question. (laughter)
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) You are two young guys, drivers, talented, everything else, but you are almost enemies...
FM: No, you can see they are best friends...
Q: (Flavio Gomes - Warm Up) From this human point of view, would you say that this is a waste of time?
FA: I still don't understand...(aside to Lewis, aloud) I hear your answer and then I... (laughter)
LH: I don't think it is a waste of time otherwise I wouldn't be here.
FM: Brazilian people are very difficult to understand. (laughter)
LH: Maybe Felipe should answer it...
FM: No, I'm fine.
Q: (MC) I think one part of the question was, is it taking away your youth in a way that at this early age of your lives that you are having this battle, this conflict?
FA: I don't think so. Maybe I understand now. We are in a competition, so we love competition and if we were not Formula One drivers then maybe we would be in a different sport or somewhere else competing against someone. It is our life and it is our... We love competition and we love cars and so we are now in Formula One and we enjoy it, you know, this conflict, you know...
Outside the track, I think everyone has a different character and a different way to live, but here in the paddock in the weekend we do so much and sometimes we win and enjoy it more and sometimes we lose and we have days of disappointments, but after that it is clear competition and we like that.
LH: We are competitive people, you know, and that is where we get our energy. It doesn't make us immediately become... look at these guys, they are a little bit older than me and Fernando has started to grow his hair a little bit - because he is worried about losing it! You know, we enjoy it and we want to continue to do it for as long as we can.
Q: (Marc Surer - Premiere Television) I have noticed that McLaren has more problems with graining with the softer compounds. What do you think?
FA: I think with the softest compounds that we have here it is difficult to say what is going to happen in the race or this weekend especially because the circuit has a new surface all around. Nobody knows what is going to happen with these tyres. We will see what happens. If we have a graining problem I think it will be the same for everybody to be honest. And races where we used these super-soft tyres, like Monaco, Canada, somewhere else, Hungary, I think, we won all those races, the team, so I think we should not be too worried by that.
Q: (MC) Are Ferrari worried either way? What are your feelings?
FM: It is difficult to say anything before we start running. We don't know if we have to worry or not. We don't know what the situation is, to be worried or not.
Q: (Livio Oricchio - O Estado de Sao Paulo) To Fernando. What was your reaction after hearing what Ron Dennis said in China? He said our competitor is not Kimi but Alonso...
FA: I was surprised. It is difficult to say what is true or what are just normal words that you say after the race and that you can take in a different way. You can put some problems asking me these questions and not him. So I don't see anything strange, just surprise, but not really worried.
Q: (Jaime Rodriguez - El Mundo) Fernando, when you win the championship would you say it has been the hardest victory of your life?
FA: I don't know. I really don't know because it is too difficult to say or get back in time and remember what my feelings were here last year when I had a very tough final part of the championship with Michael taking points every race and losing the advantage that I had, so that was a very difficult fight and when I won here last year I had a very special feeling. As you say, if this weekend everything goes well and again I have the possibility to feel that who knows if it is bigger or smaller than last year's feelings.
Q: (Ian Parkes - The Press Association) Fernando and Lewis, just looking at you here you look more at ease than we have seen you for some time, is that true?
FA: I think it is the same as always. I think when you see us together it is only on the Saturday afternoon and at the Meet the Team press conference and then it is just after qualifying and we are very focussed on the race, the strategy, the result of the qualifying, so it is maybe not a very relaxed moment. And here on this Thursday I don't see any change from the last 10 months.
LH: I agree with that. I think like any relationship just through time spent together, and I have known Fernando since Turkey of last year, I think it is and just since then the relationship has grown and we have more respect for each other automatically. We are not here now in competition, trying to answer more questions than each other, but on Saturday, it is a little different because we are in competition.
Q: (Charlie Wyett - The Sun) Lewis, will it make extra special for you if you can win the title and England win the Rugby World Cup on Saturday? What impact will it have on the country? And what will it mean to you if England can do it?
LH: It is one of the best times for our country and I am proud and pleased to be in that sort of position where I can do something. I really want them to win. I watched the last game and I had a great time with a few friends and one said France are going to win and I said 'no way!' and it was just amazing to see the spirits of the guys and how they came back. And I was also interested to see they are going to watch Cool Runnings for inspiration before their last game. I watched it recently as well. We are all going to try the best we can and it is going to be something special to have the honour to do it on a similar day.
Q: (Heikki Kulta - Turun Sanomat) In China I asked you if you wanted a storm to come and for the race to be cancelled. Looking back would you have hoped for it to have come and how much more difficult is it now?
LH: This is the second question you have asked me this year! (laughter)... As I said before, I really enjoy racing and whether you finish or you don't finish as long as you do all your preparation, you just want to complete the race. Whether you finish first or last. And this weekend I hope the weather is good. I know the weather has not always been brilliant for previous races here in Brazil, but I heard it hadn't rained here for about two months or something and then as soon as I arrived it rained. I obviously brought it with me from the UK. We want to have a good race this weekend.
Q: (Niki Takeda - Formula PA) To you all, has it seemed a longer season than normal?
LH: It is my first season in Formula One, so it has seemed a very long season to me and different to anything I have experienced before, but I am enjoying it. I am looking forward to more races in the future.
FA: Quite long for me...
KR: ... (inaudible) the races go quickly and it has been the same for me this season.
FM: Very quick.
Q: (James Allen - ITV) Lewis, looking back to the Belgian Grand Prix, this is a pretty difficult first corner here and obviously Kimi would love it if you took each other off and is that a scenario you have thought of or is it something you have to discuss to make sure it doesn't?
LH: We are professional racing drivers and I think obviously we don't want to crash with any of the drivers not just us. Neither of us wants to crash on Sunday. For me, going into that first corner you go in there ideally wanting to take the lead or to gain a place but without taking too many risks. In our own experience we know what too much of a risk is and what too little is... I don't feel we are going to have any problems.
FA: I have to finish the race and I have to risk for sure to take places if I have an opportunity but as I said my principle aim is to finish the race.
Q: (Marco Degl'Innocenti - La Gazzetta dello Sport) Does it happen that you think that you cannot win the title?
LH: No.
10-19-2007, 11:33 AM
#117
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Raikkonen leads wet practice 1 - Brazil
www.autosport.com
By Matt Beer Friday, October 19th 2007, 13:33 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen led a Ferrari one-two in the damp opening practice session at Interlagos, with Lewis Hamilton taking fifth and Fernando Alonso choosing not to participate.
Drizzle fell throughout the session, occasionally increasing to a heavier rain shower and ensuring that a dry line never appeared.
The title contenders sat out most of the morning, allowing Kazuki Nakajima, Jarno Trulli, Sebastian Vettel, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and Nico Rosberg to all take turns on top as the weather fluctuated.
The Ferraris eventually emerged in the final 15 minutes and swiftly moved into first and second. Felipe Massa was the faster of the pair initially, before Raikkonen moved ahead by half a second with his last lap.
Hamilton made two comparatively tentative runs near the end of the morning, eventually taking fifth position. But his McLaren teammate Alonso decided to limit himself to an installation lap, as did the BMW pair and Giancarlo Fisichella.
Heikki Kovalainen ultimately took third for Renault, 1.2 seconds off the pace and just ahead of Rosberg and Hamilton.
Schumacher was sixth despite a quick spin late on, with Vettel moving back up to seventh near the end having been pushed back into the midfield as others improved.
Mark Webber, Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi completed the top ten.
Despite the treacherous conditions, there were few incidents. Along with Schumacher's spin, Sakon Yamamoto also had a quick trip off the road, while Adrian Sutil explored the run-off at the Senna S on two consecutive laps during one of the harder showers.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.580 9
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:20.062 10
3. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:20.829 19
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.064 14
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.121 10
6. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:21.243 22
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:21.598 22
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.104 12
9. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:22.104 26
10. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.250 17
11. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:22.434 23
12. Button Honda (B) 1:22.477 22
13. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.667 16
14. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:22.929 19
15. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:23.248 30
16. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:23.261 26
17. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:23.551 20
18. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:24.366 25
19. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1
20. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1
21. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1
22. Fisichella Renault (B) 2
By Matt Beer Friday, October 19th 2007, 13:33 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen led a Ferrari one-two in the damp opening practice session at Interlagos, with Lewis Hamilton taking fifth and Fernando Alonso choosing not to participate.
Drizzle fell throughout the session, occasionally increasing to a heavier rain shower and ensuring that a dry line never appeared.
The title contenders sat out most of the morning, allowing Kazuki Nakajima, Jarno Trulli, Sebastian Vettel, Rubens Barrichello, Ralf Schumacher and Nico Rosberg to all take turns on top as the weather fluctuated.
The Ferraris eventually emerged in the final 15 minutes and swiftly moved into first and second. Felipe Massa was the faster of the pair initially, before Raikkonen moved ahead by half a second with his last lap.
Hamilton made two comparatively tentative runs near the end of the morning, eventually taking fifth position. But his McLaren teammate Alonso decided to limit himself to an installation lap, as did the BMW pair and Giancarlo Fisichella.
Heikki Kovalainen ultimately took third for Renault, 1.2 seconds off the pace and just ahead of Rosberg and Hamilton.
Schumacher was sixth despite a quick spin late on, with Vettel moving back up to seventh near the end having been pushed back into the midfield as others improved.
Mark Webber, Trulli and Vitantonio Liuzzi completed the top ten.
Despite the treacherous conditions, there were few incidents. Along with Schumacher's spin, Sakon Yamamoto also had a quick trip off the road, while Adrian Sutil explored the run-off at the Senna S on two consecutive laps during one of the harder showers.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.580 9
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:20.062 10
3. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:20.829 19
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.064 14
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.121 10
6. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:21.243 22
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:21.598 22
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.104 12
9. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:22.104 26
10. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.250 17
11. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:22.434 23
12. Button Honda (B) 1:22.477 22
13. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.667 16
14. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:22.929 19
15. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:23.248 30
16. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:23.261 26
17. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:23.551 20
18. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:24.366 25
19. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1
20. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1
21. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1
22. Fisichella Renault (B) 2
10-19-2007, 01:35 PM
#118
Race Director
That is why I said 1 car length back. Don't run close enough to get brake checked. If you are behind you have that control.
10-19-2007, 03:08 PM
#120
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Problem for Hamilton?
from the F1.com website:
It was thus a good day for Hamilton, but there is a hair on the cake; this morning McLaren accidentally contravened Article 25.3 of the 2007 Formula One sporting regulations. These state that in the first two practice sessions a driver may use one set of wet tyres and one set of extreme-wets. Somehow McLaren contrived to send him out during his 10-lap run on two sets of wets. The stewards will meet later to discuss potential penalties, and Jenson Button at Honda and Takuma Sato at Super Aguri will also be sailing the same boat. It is likely that each will lose a set of tyres on Saturday
Hmmn, maybe Hamilton needs an FIA observer to watch the Alonso FIA observer.....
It was thus a good day for Hamilton, but there is a hair on the cake; this morning McLaren accidentally contravened Article 25.3 of the 2007 Formula One sporting regulations. These state that in the first two practice sessions a driver may use one set of wet tyres and one set of extreme-wets. Somehow McLaren contrived to send him out during his 10-lap run on two sets of wets. The stewards will meet later to discuss potential penalties, and Jenson Button at Honda and Takuma Sato at Super Aguri will also be sailing the same boat. It is likely that each will lose a set of tyres on Saturday
Hmmn, maybe Hamilton needs an FIA observer to watch the Alonso FIA observer.....