Great Expectations
Michael Schumacher concentrates on the task at hand during the Valencia test in February 2010. His new team Mercedes GP have been quick to dismiss concerns that the pressure is mounting on them, what with a championship to defend, plus a seven times world champion on their books.
Credit: Mercedes GP
Out to Pasture
Nick Heidfeld poses at Melbourne Zoo for BMW ahead of the 2009 season. The German has been confirmed as reserve driver at Mercedes GP for 2010, making it an all German outfit based in Brackley. Heidfeld says he is slightly disappointed with not having a race seat for the upcoming season but is determined to make it work with his new team.
Credit: BMW AG
Launched For the Very First Time
The brand new VR-01 was revealed to the world today, after a short delay. Virgin had planned an online launch, but their virtual photos took a while to be released due to technical difficulties. Nevertheless, the black and red livery was finally available to view with Lucas di Grassi and Timo Glock on hand in their matching overalls. The car is due for a shakedown at Silverstone next week.
Credit: Virgin Racing
No Bull For Buemi
Sebastien Buemi steers the STR5 round the Ricardo Tormo circuit during the first pre-season test. The Toro Rosso is the first to be built by the team and not given to them by Red Bull, and although it suffered some reliability issues yesterday, the car was up to scratch (if not speed) today, and completed over 100 laps. Buemi ended the day two seconds off Massa, who posted the fastest time.
Credit: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images
Worker Bee
Robert Kubica gets behind the wheel of the R30 for the first time in Valencia. The team launched yesterday with a brand new (or old, to be precise) yellow and black livery, and they confirmed Vitaly Petrov as Kubica’s teammate for the 2010 season. The team completed 69 laps and finished last with a 1:15.0, compared to Massa’s fastest lap of the day, a 1:12.5.
Credit: Andrew Ferraro /LAT Photographic
White Riot
Kimi Räikkönen made his official rally debut this weekend, taking part in the Arctic Rally in Lapland. Kimi appeared to be in his element over the past couple of days, smiling, happy and enjoying every minute of the event – even if he did end up making contact with a tree and finishing way down the order. Roll on the Championship.
Credit: GEPA pictures/ Vesa Koivunen/ Red Bull
You Can’t Fit Quicker
Kimi Räikkönen made his official rally debut this weekend, taking part in the Arctic Rally in Lapland. It’s easy to imagine that rallying (and in particular coming into contact with trees) requires a lot of mechanical support, but this is very different to the pit stops we see in F1.
Credit: GEPA pictures/ Vesa Koivunen/ Red Bull
Comfort Zone
Kimi Räikkönen made his official rally debut this weekend, taking part in the Arctic Rally in Lapland. Whilst his results over the past couple of days might not be exactly what Kimi was hoping for, he’s made a good start to the year and there’s no doubt that he’s completely comfortable with the change in his career.
Credit: GEPA pictures/ Vesa Koivunen/ Red Bull
Taking the Rough With the Smooth
Kimi Räikkönen made his official rally debut this weekend, taking part in the Arctic Rally in Lapland. Rallying requires a different skillset to Formula 1, and whilst speed is still the key component, you also have to deal with sharp corners, rough terrain and severe elevation changes.
Credit: GEPA pictures/ Vesa Koivunen/ Red Bull
Raging Bull
Kimi Räikkönen made his official rally debut this weekend, taking part in the Arctic Rally in Lapland. One of the things that was obvious when Kimi was in F1 was that he didn’t care about any of the media or politics, but simply wanted to get in a car and drive fast. Rallying offers ample opportunity for this.
Credit: GEPA pictures/ Vesa Koivunen/ Red Bull