We're quick says Massa

Ferrari on Tuesday responded to suggestions that it is struggling in the wake of Michael Schumacher's retirement by dominating the testing time sheets in Barcelona.

After striking problems at the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday, the two ultra-reliable F2007 models finished day two first and second quickest, moving Felipe Massa to observe that the red car 'is going very well'.

"I was able to do many laps with a satisfying level of pace. Everything is heading in the right direction," the Brazilian said, according to reports in the Spanish press.

Massa continued: "Today I could be quick and consistent."

Kimi Finishes First Week In The F2007

Today was the fourth and final day of testing this week for Ferrari, working again at the "Ricardo Tormo" Cheste circuit, on the outskirts of Valencia.

In order to make up for the time lost to bad weather over the past few days, Kimi Raikkonen today continued with the F2007 development programme.

The Finnish driver was able to lap consistently using dry weather tyres, covering a total of 116 laps, the quickest in a time of 1:11.847 - second fastest overall on the day.

The team resumes testing on Tuesday at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit. Felipe Massa and Raikkonen will both driving an F2007.

First Ferrari Drive For Kimi

In overcast and sometimes wet conditions, today was the first day of testing this week for Ferrari, working at Vallelunga’s 'Piero Taruffi' circuit.

Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa took to the track and for the Finn this marked his debut at the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car, as he drove the 248 F1, while his Brazilian team-mate was entrusted with the new F2007.

The day’s technical programme comprised of Raikkonen getting to know the car, while Massa concentrated on development of the new car.

Massa put 74 laps on the new Ferrari with a best lap of 1:14.

Massa and Raikkonen continue testing at Vallelunga tomorrow.

Door open for Schumi

Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher enjoyed a day of shopping in Milan before attending the launch of Ferrari's new formula one car for 2007.

Media reports in Germany revealed that, a day before the launch of the F2007, the 38-year-old shopped with his wife Corinna at the high-end fashion house 'Dolce & Gabbana'.

Retired Schumacher then kept a low-profile at Maranello, hiding out alongside the F2007 in a factory workshop rather than joining the launch festivities in a building adjacent to Ferrari's Fiorano test track.

The new Ferrari 'assistant' also spent time with Jean Todt on Saturday, where after the team boss admitted: "I asked Michael if he was finding (retirement) difficult. His reply was very clear - 'Absolutely not'."

Todt added that if Schumacher tires of his go-kart and wants to take a Ferrari for a spin, "we'll find a racing suit for him with pleasure."

Before Monday morning's first test drive of the F2007, Luca di Montezemolo said the following -

"Michael has already adopted a new mentality; I'd say even a new dimension. This morning he was at the box and listening to the comments of the drivers. I really enjoyed seeing him enthusiastic like that. He could have done something else, but he decided to stay, to contribute to the team. This shows not only his personality but also what kind of relationship he has with Ferrari; it is very personal and reaches very deep."

On the sidelines of the famous Italian marque's private test circuit, meanwhile, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo told Italian television that he can imagine the sight of retired champion Michael Schumacher in the car's cockpit in the near future.

"I know him well," Montezemolo said, "and I believe that he will test the new Ferrari soon."

First Test Drive of the F2007

Ferrari's new car for the 2007 Formula One season was taken for its first spin by Felipe Massa at the Italian team's Fiorano test track on Monday.

The 'shakedown' began at 9am.

The unofficial time of Massa's fastest lap was clocked at 58.360 seconds. The fastest lap set by the 2006 car on its track debut last year when the now retired Michael Schumacher was behind the wheel was 59.6 seconds.

Fog greeted the Italian team in the morning following the unveiling of the F2007 on Sunday at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.

Ferrari will be back on track on the 23rd January at the Mugello Circuit, with both its race drivers, Massa and Kimi Raikkonen in action.

Kimi's New Look

F2007 Is Alive !

Ferrari launched their 2007 challenger today. Here are some pics which were released to the press.

Chassis chief Aldo Costa explained the design process so far. "The aerodynamics have been completely remodelled; above all the front suspension, the air inlets on the main body and the rear axle are tighter and more tapered, to benefit also from the new architecture of the gear box. We worked a lot on the chassis considering the new crash tests, which are much more severe."

"Today's car is the one that will debut [in testing] and has the same wings as the one in 2006," he confirmed. "The car, which will go to start at the first GP, will have optimized wings, while this is just a provisional version. The F2007 is however definitive in its structure."

Madonna di Campiglio with Kimi and Felipe

The Future

Kimi Raikkonen joined Ferrari at their annual Wroom event in the Dolomites for the first time. The Finn said that working at Ferrari has been going nice and smoothly in the first two weeks.

Speaking with the press Raikkonen said: "So far it has been easy working with the team. Things are much easier here and its so far the easiest team I have worked with in Formula 1."

"Some people expected it to be difficult to work at Ferrari but I think its completely the opposite. I expect a strong relationship in the upcoming season and enjoy my time at Ferrari."

New Ferrari to look different for '07 start

Ferrari's new single seater for 2007, to be launched on Sunday, will undergo a major visual bodywork overhaul before it makes its race debut in Australia, we can reveal.

It is understood that substantial elements of the car's aerodynamic profile are still in the design phase, which could explain speculation that the so-far unnamed car may not be 'ready' for the official unveiling in Italy.

Team CEO and Team Principal Jean told the newspaper Corriere della Sera that Ferrari aims to give Felipe Massa - who will debut the car at Fiorano on Monday - and Kimi Raikkonen a 'great car'.

He said: "Schumacher wouldn't have won 72 Grand Prix with Ferrari if he didn't have a great team made of excellent professionals and if he didn't race with a very strong car.

"We'll do the utmost to put Raikkonen and Massa in those same conditions."

2007 Ferrari Challenger to be launched next Sunday

The Ferrari Formula One team will hold their launch in their home town Maranello next Sunday, but according to speculations Ferrari's 2007 contender might not be present at the launch itself.

On Sunday, January 14th, Ferrari scheduled its launch at their factory. The Ferrari team will be present with its drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, but the car might not be a Ferrari spokesperson told Autosport.com "We will have a preview for the media, bt we don't know yet if the car will be ready." A day after the launch Felipe Massa will get behind the wheel to continue the team's preparations for the Australian Grand Prix which will be held March 18th.

Happy Birthday Schumi!

Schumi is 38 years old today, enjoy your day big boy!!

Retired seven time world champion Michael Schumacher treated himself to an extravagant present ahead of his thirty eighth birthday on Wednesday.

The Cologne based Express newspaper claims that the former Ferrari driver has splashed out on a Shelby Cobra Daytona Super Coupe - one of the world's rarest supercars.

Only six of the original cars - valued today at several million dollars - were ever built in the mid Sixties, ironically in a bid to wrestle the GT title from dominant Ferrari.

Schumi honoured at FIA Awards gala

Michael Schumacher was presented with a special FIA Gold Medal at the governing body's Awards Ceremony in Monaco last night for his contribution to motor racing.

The seven-times world champion was clearly delighted at being handed the honour by FIA president Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at the very end of the evening in the Salle des Etoiles at the Monaco Sporting Club.

"I have received a huge amount of joy and pleasure from motor sport," said Schumacher. "To all of you and all of the people everywhere I really want to express my thanks. I have had such a love for this sport.

"It doesn't need motivation. You do it as good as you can and luckily I have a lot of great people around me who have allowed me to achieve what we have achieved together."

Mosley added: "It's a career that has never been equalled in the past and probably never will be in the future. In addition to his extraordinary achievements on the track I have to say Michael has helped us enormously with all sorts of work on road safety all over the world."

Bernie Ecclestone paid tribute to Schumacher's character off track, as well as his achievements on it. "All sports need a superstar and Michael is a superstar," he said.

"Michael's achievements speak for themselves so I don't really need to say anything more about them. But what they don't say is what a lovely guy Michael is and he is supported by a really lovely family. He's a lucky guy and I wish him all the best in the future."

Schumi gets his biggest trophy

Michael Schumacher may have collected hundreds of trophies from his long and successful Formula One career, but now he has one that's actually bigger than Jean Todt.

Ferrari gave the seven times world champion a unique Christmas present last week, when Schumacher was presented a 1.60-metres tall steel cup, in recognition of all his achievements for the Italian outfit.

In the company of 1,000 employees - including departing technical director Ross Brawn and engine guru Paolo Martinelli, chief executive Jean Todt and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo - Schumacher received the 200-kilo monster, which has the dates of all his 72 GP wins with the scuderia inscribed on it.

"I'm touched and honoured," Schumacher told the crowd. "These eleven years [with Ferrari] have been really special, and it's thanks to you that I won all that's written on this cup."

His teammate in 2006 Felipe Massa was not left empty-handed, although his Christmas gift was significantly smaller.

The Brazilian was given a small sculpture to commemorate his two Grand Prix wins this season, displaying the number 1 twice - one in Turkish colours and the other in Brazilian colours.

And to sum up the event, president di Montezemolo had one message for the cheering crowd: "A golden era ends, now a new one starts. The objectives are clear."

Schumi awarded citizenship of Maranello

Since this evening, Maranello has a seven times Formula 1 champion amongst its citizens: Michael Schumacher has been awarded the honorary citizenship of the commune of Emilia-Romagna. The reason given was that with his extraordinary history at Ferrari, he was an accompaniment to one of the most important parts in the history of the commune of Maranello. The auditorium "Enzo Ferrari" was not big enough to hold all of the people who wanted to be close to Michael. In front of the theatre there was a video wall where people outside could follow the ceremony. Under the presence of President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice-President Piero Ferrari, CEO Jean Todt and General-Director Amedeo Felisa, an obviously moved Michael Schumacher said that he was touched by receiving the honorary citizenship of Maranello. Which five years ago had been awarded to the President. The official ceremony ended with the giving of the keys to the city by mayor Lucia Bursi and a miniature bell tower engraved with the most important dates of Schumacher's "red" career. As a nod to the tradition started by Maranello's priest Don Elio Belloi and continued by his successor Don Alberto Bernardoni, the bells of the tower rang, as they do after victories of the single-seaters from Maranello. Over the last 11 years the bells rang 72 times for Michael. Giancarlo Bertacchini, Scuderia Ferrari Club President of Maranello, handed over to Michael a small barrel of Aceto Balsamico, which signifies deep friendship in Emilia, while Giulio Corsari, President of the association of former F1 mechanics gave a leather-bound plaque with the engraving "Grazie Michael", as a perfect ending to the evening.

Michael's comments after Ferrari Finali

Sunday, October 29th: It was three in the afternoon as Michael passed the finish line at Monza for the last time in his Formula One Ferrari, and 45.000 tifosi celebrated him. The record-holding world champion was given a very warm welcome at the Finali Mondiali, Ferrari's traditional end-of-year party. "The fans were always supportive, especially during hard times, and that helped us all," Michael stated, noticing all the posters fans had brought for him. President Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari's Business manager Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher spoke at a press conference, which was also a goodbye event for Ross Brawn, and told us what their future plans were. "I'm looking forward to continuing working with Ferrari. The friendship within our team has always been very unique, so it's obvious that continuing along this path makes sense. We will take our time and find out what exactly I'll be doing.

I'll take on the role of some sort of an advisor, for instance in the area of development of the street cars or working with young drivers, but we haven't completely decided. First of all I'd like to take a break now. The last sixteen years of my life have been completely organized and planned out, so now I'd just like to go with the flow for a while. And after a while I'll know what I will be doing with Ferrari - it's going to be about what's important for Ferrari and how I can help them. Ferrari has always given me the freedom to take my time in deciding things, and that's how it's going to be this time as well. But I would like to thank everyone that has helped me to experience my amazing career." And at the circuit, to the fans, he said, "You are the best present that I've ever received. Without you, we couldn't have done it."

Michael thanks Brawn and Martinelli

Thursday, October 26th: Today it was announced that two of Michael's long-time colleagues will also be leaving the Scuderia Ferrari: Ross Brawn and Paolo Martinelli. So of course the record-holding Champion sends them his best wishes: "Thanks to and with Ross I was able to celebrate all my success in Formula One, so of course I want to thank him for that," Michael said about his technical director. "Due to his strong personality and his natural authority he was always very important for the team. He prepared the boys for everything, he showed them the direction in which it all was going. Ross will always be a special person for me." But also Paolo Martinelli was a very important man for Michael. "During the last six years of my career I had just two engine failures - that says basically everything about Paolos work, and I would like to stress the fact that we did not lose the Championship due to the engine failing at Suzuka. Quite the opposite: the reliability of the Ferrari engines was the basis of our success in recent years. I admire Paolo as a human being and wish him all the best for his further career." Brawn will take some family time while Martinelli will join Fiat.

Ferrari Finali 2006

Thoughts on Ferrari for 2007

A trio of former Grand Prix drivers are split on whether they think Ferrari can shine in the post-Schumacher era.

Marc Surer, who contested 87 Formula One races in the 80s, observed that seven time world champion Michael Schumacher's successor - Kimi Raikkonen - is not renowned for his skills in developing a car.

"I think Kimi needs a ready-made team," the Swiss told German-language newspaper Motorsport Aktuell, "but if he gets his hands on a fast Ferrari then he can win races and championships."

The German veteran of 74 Grand Prix in the 70s, meanwhile - Hans-Joachim Stuck - said Kimi's new tenure will be a 'hard test' for the Finn, with Maranello based Ferrari also losing long time technical director Ross Brawn.


Driver of 36 races in the 80s, Christian Danner, added: "I am convinced that the unbeatable Ferrari of Schumacher's day is gone."

Current Toyota racer Jarno Trulli, however, predicted good times for Raikkonen in 2007, observing that 'even Massa can win with the current Ferrari'.

"I don't think the departure of Schumacher or Brawn will change much," the 32-year-old Italian told sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

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