Not even Dennis was surprised over Räikkönen's switch

Kimi Räikkönen's surprising debut in USA:s Nascar-serie took place the same weekend as Spain GP. In spite of that the matter was on the wall even on the F1-paddock.

Ron Dennis is the man who came up with the nickname ’’Iceman’’ for Räikkönen.

How did the former team manager feel about Räikkönen's Nascar-switch?

– Kimi has always liked to do different things and what he himself wants. That's why I'm not at all surprised over what he is doing. He drove quite well rally too. I don't know more about the Nascar-thing except that he went there, Dennis replied.

Räikkönen's physical trainer from Sauber, Josef Leberer, admits that Kimi driving in USA was a pleasant surprise.

– Kimi was a pale and thin guy when he started with us but while he was driving the bike I immediately noticed his body's coordination. At that point I knew that since he has a natural talent to drive fast, the coordination skill will help him no matter where he drives. I'm sure it helps him in Nascar too, Leberer said.

Sebastian Vettel said beforehand that Räikkönen has an exceptional freedom to do whatever he wants and take all the fun out of it.

– Of course I have been completely concentrated on my own weekend but I did look at the results from Charlotte and I was surprised over how well Kimi did. I haven't had time to look into the details. Kimi really is a man who is a maker: no matter what he races with he always makes a *** No swearing *** good job, Vettel praised.

David Coulthard drove with Räikkönen for three years at McLaren.

– I am happy that Kimi has once again found something new. It's good for the F1-sport when a top driver like Kimi can go to rally or USA's ovals and make a good work there too.

– Kimi has shown that whatever he does, he has always made good choices.

Stefano Domenicali doesn't doubt that Räikkönen might become competitive also in USA.

– Maybe it will happen if Kimi feels that it's fun enough. I have to call him and ask how he is doing, Domenicali said.

Turun Sanomat, Barcelona

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

McLaren boss is banned from driving

THE chairman of the McLaren motoring group has been banned from driving for six months.

Executive chairman Ron Dennis, 63, formerly of Thorley Close, West Byfleet, was ordered to surrender his licence at Woking Magistrates’ Court on Monday (March 7) after pleading guilty to driving through a red light in Bagshot.

Dennis, who joined McLaren in 1980, was spotted ignoring the stop signal just after 7.30am on September 5 last year, while driving his Mercedes Benz on Bracknell Road.

Dennis, of Pinewood Road, Virginia Water, said that he should be spared a driving ban because of the inconvenience it would cause to his lifestyle, which includes long working hours and spending time with his children on weekends.

Defending himself, he explained that he had a friend travelling in another car behind him and he feared that stopping suddenly at the lights might cause a crash.

He said: “There were only two other cars around but I felt that it would be more prudent to continue rather than stop.

“It was the decision I took for which I realise I’m here to take the penalty, but as I have said I really need my licence.

“I have no hardship but I would have a massive amount of trouble not being able to look after my daughter at the weekends."

With nine points already on his licence from three previous speeding offences since April 2008, Dennis was given three further points, resulting in an automatic six-month ban under the “totting” rule.

Chairman of the bench Mike Morritt ignored Dennis’ plea for exceptional circumstances, and said that the ban would stand.

He stepped down from his role as team principal of the McLaren F1 team in 2009, to focus on marketing the company’s new supercar, the MP4-12C

Dennis, who did not wish to comment after the result, was also ordered to pay a fine of £350, plus court costs of £43 and a surcharge of £15.

Source: BBC Sports

Vettel scoffs at Dennis' 'low fuel' theory

Sebastian Vettel on Thursday scoffed at Ron Dennis' suggestion that Red Bull did not tell the truth about its problem in the Bahrain season opener two weeks ago.

Having initially said a failed exhaust was the reason for the German's slowed pace, the team later clarified that it was in fact a spark plug problem.

But Dennis, the former McLaren team boss and ongoing chairman of the Woking based group, speculated last week that Vettel may actually have been running low on fuel.

"Maybe Ron Dennis wanted to attract attention with his theory, because otherwise no one asks for his opinion anymore," Vettel, 22, is quoted as saying from Melbourne by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

To reporters at Albert Park, the Bahrain pole sitter and early race leader reiterated that his problem was caused by a spark plug with a broken tip.

So why did he pull to the side of the track immediately after the chequered flag, if he had not run out of fuel?

"Because at the time I thought the exhaust was broken and I didn't want to do any more damage," he explained.

Source: F1 Complete